Lawsuit Filed against the City of Saline

Today the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO) announced that it is in the process of filing a lawsuit against the City of Saline challenging its anti-concealed carry ordinance. “We have no choice,” said MCRGO President and Ann Arbor resident Dr. David Felbeck, “we pointed out the illegality, asked the Council to delay its action due to pending litigation in the Appellate Court and they refused. This organization was formed to preserve freedoms for law-abiding citizens. MCRGO’s Mission Statement is clear,” he stated: “Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation.”

The City of Saline is the third city taken to court by MCRGO. First Ferndale and then East Lansing chose to enact ordinances that clearly contradict state statute passed in 1990 (Public Act 319) which reads:

“A local unit of government shall not impose special taxation on, enact or enforce any ordinance or regulation pertaining to, or regulate in any other manner the ownership, registration, purchase, sale, transfer, transportation, or possession of pistols or other firearms….”

MCRGO’s suit against Ferndale has already been argued at the Appellate Court and a verdict is expected any day now.

Then Speaker of the House and current MCRGO Executive Director Chuck Perricone stated, “Under the law, a citizen whom wishes to carry a pistol must first endure rigorous training, finger-printing, criminal and medical background checks, interviews and licensing. It’s real simple: break the law and you won’t get a permit. The Michigan Municipal League has managed to convince a few local governments that they can bar good citizens from their buildings if they carry. What they haven’t told them is that these ordinances guarantee only the bad guys will be armed since the good guys will follow their rules.“

Senator Alan Cropsey, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is more blunt: “During this time of tight budgets, it just doesn’t make sense for any municipality to pursue an expensive lawsuit like this. State law is clear and we’re confident that the original intent of Michigan’s Legislature will be upheld. All we asked is that they avoid the expense and wait for the Courts to decide.”

The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners was formed to promote and protect a law-abiding citizen’s right to safely use and own firearms for self-defense, hunting or even collecting. MCRGO is the leading voice for safe and responsible gun ownership in the state of Michigan and stands alone in its fight to preserve such rights through education, litigation and legislation. It is the only organization pursuing litigation in an effort to preserve individual rights.

Ms. Carol Bambery, MCRGO’s legal counsel, states, “we will not hesitate to challenge an illegal city ordinance. MCRGO was organized to protect your constitutional right to carry your legally owned firearm.”

“It’s been a long, lonely and expensive battle but we will not back away from defending every law-abiding citizen’s right to own a firearm in the state of Michigan,” said Dr. Felbeck.

Contact: Chuck Perricone, MCRGO Executive Director at 269-623-7245