Michigan’s Ban on Guns at Polling Places Struck Down

A ban on open-carry at polling places, which critics argued opened the door to suppress voters from voting who feel unsafe without their firearms, has been struck down by a Michigan judge.

According to The Hill:

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray ruled that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) did not follow the appropriate protocol to institute her rule announced Oct. 16. Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) appealed Murray’s decision on Wednesday morning.

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“It is important to recognize that this case is not about whether it is a good idea to openly carry a firearm at a polling place, or whether the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the secretary of state’s … directive,” he said in a written opinion.

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Murray’s argument was that Benson’s rule should have been implemented under the Administrative Procedures Act to permit public input and legislative criticism.

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Davis labeled Murray’s decision as “a victory for the rule of law” and Benson’s rule as “an unnecessary overreach by an executive official in state government,” according to the Detroit Free Press. Steven Dulan, who represented the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, said the group was worried that Benson would not follow required procedures in the future, leading to “the demonization of gun owners in general.”

Liberal groups have stated that they will patrol polling places to report voter intimidation. However, most of the demonization of gun owners occurs through hypotheticals. The statistics show the overwhelming majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens.