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Open Weapons Allowed At Festival

Guns will be allowed to be worn out in the open at the upcoming Arts, Beats & Eats festival.

Following more than three hours of debate Monday night, the Royal Oak City Commission voted to overturn a ban on carrying guns at the Labor Day weekend festival.

After City Attorney Dave Gillam counseled commissioners that proponents of so-called 'open carry' gun rights had the law on their side, commissioners voted 4-3 to lift the ban.

As for how the public will react to the news, Arts Beats & Eats promoter Jonathan Witz says he hopes people who disagree with the decision will still attend the event, so charities that receive proceeds will still benefit.

Witz also says he doubts the decision will lead to more people carrying guns at the event.

After a 12-year run in the city of Pontiac, this year marks the debut of the Arts, Beats and Eats festival in Royal Oak.

Copyright, 2010. WWJ Newsradio 950, All Rights Reserved.

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