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Area Thrown Into Panic When Man Exercises Right To Carry Weapon Near Madison Heights School

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) A temporary lockdown was ordered Wednesday afternoon for students and staff at Lamphere High School in Madison Heights after a man was seen approaching the school on foot with a pistol and long gun.

He was stopped outside of the school by police, questioned and released.

School officials said they later learned he was exercising his right to "open carry" the weapons, which is allowed for concealed weapons permit holders under Michigan law.

Rita Lewis with the Lamphere Public School District says such an incident puts school officials in an awkward position.

Madison Heights Police -- who received a dozen 911 calls from people who saw the man approaching the school -- say, technically, he did nothing illegal.

"An individual carrying a weapon onto school property is not addressed in the law," Lewis said. "That is the dilemma for schools because we have an obligation to make sure our students and staff are protected.

"We also understand that they have the right, that's the law."

Madison Heights Police, who received a dozen 911 calls from people who saw the man approaching the school, say, technically, he did nothing illegal.

"Unfortunately it causes a great deal of concern for what seems to be the majority of the other citizens when they see someone exercising that right, so it puts us in a difficult spot, but we want to try to do our best to protecting everyone's rights," said Madison heights Police Chief Tom Kenyon.

 

 

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