Michigan Appeals Court Says Public Schools Can Ban Guns

By ED WHITE
Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) - The Michigan appeals court says public schools have the power to ban guns.

The court, in a 3-0 opinion, considered gun bans in the Ann Arbor and Clio districts. The court says schools have been "broadly empowered" by the Legislature to keep students safe.

Each district was challenged by parents with a concealed pistol license. Critics argued that schools can't restrict guns because state law prohibits local governments from regulating gun possession. But the court says there are differences between schools and a local unit of government.

The court says schools are "not formed, organized or operated" by cities, townships or counties and have "very broad powers of self-governance."

The opinion released Friday was written by Judge Elizabeth Gleicher and joined by judges Kirsten Frank Kelly and Douglas Shapiro.

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