Told not to OC at public library

[American1776]

Been OCing at the Indian Valley Public library with my family for over a year. No problems until today. Checkout desk, young guy:

Guy: from now on our policy is open carry isn't allowed.
Me: oh. Is this a publicly owned building?
Guy: yes. It's just a safety thing.
Me: can I ask who made the new policy?
Guy: the board.
Me: the township board?
Guy: no, the library board is looking into a policy.
Me: so it's not a policy yet?
Guy(face turning red): no, but they're looking into it.
Me : okay, I'll look into as well. Thanks

Question: can the public library, a public building, ban open carry under the preemption?

[rwilson452]

Been OCing at the Indian Valley Public library with my family for over a year. No problems until today. Checkout desk, young guy:

Guy: from now on our policy is open carry isn't allowed.
Me: oh. Is this a publicly owned building?
Guy: yes. It's just a safety thing.
Me: can I ask who made the new policy?
Guy: the board.
Me: the township board?
Guy: no, the library board is looking into a policy.
Me: so it's not a policy yet?
Guy(face turning red): no, but they're looking into it.
Me : okay, I'll look into as well. Thanks

Question: can the public library, a public building, ban open carry under the preemption?

"Public" is a shaky word. Who owns it? Is it leased? If it's county owned and not leased to a private entity. Then the answer is No.

[MT1]

This is dated but interesting. http://www.montgomerynews.com/articl...4017415465.txt

No surprise, your library gets most of it's annual budget from your property taxes. I would think this puts them into the same category as a public park or other public property where 2A rights cannot be denied. However, I'm no lawyer.

[Emptymag]

I guess hiding a gun under your clothing is okie-dokie then?


Did he really say "open carry"?

[MT1]

Maybe one of those hollowed out books that conceals a gun.

[American1776]

I guess hiding a gun under your clothing is okie-dokie then?


Did he really say "open carry"?

He specifically said, 'Open carry'.

[American1776]

This is dated but interesting. http://www.montgomerynews.com/articl...4017415465.txt

No surprise, your library gets most of it's annual budget from your property taxes. I would think this puts them into the same category as a public park or other public property where 2A rights cannot be denied. However, I'm no lawyer.

Thanks for that article.

[MT1]

Thanks for that article.

No problem. Thanks for sharing the story with us.

Tell library pansy you're just thinking of the books.

[American1776]

I wonder if I should email the director of the library? I could word the inquiry without raising the issue of firearms or open carry, by simply inquiring into the ownership status of the building itself. Is the building leased to a private owner? Or, is it owned by the township or county?

Given the answer to that question, one can deduce with certainty whether the preemption law applies to that building, and therefore, that library. This way, I don't cause an anti-gun director to make up an answer so as to justify an anti-gun response.

[JAKIII]

Tell library pansy you're just thinking of the books.

The guy's a worker bee, making $8.50 an hour. If the story's true, then all he's doing is enforcing the policy, (i.e., not his fault).