GRAND RAPIDS, Mich- Advocates of Michigan Open Carry and Michigan Gun Owners have filed a lawsuit against DeVos Place Convention Center and its management company, after being thrown out of the facility in March 2016.
Attorneys for Michigan Open Carry tell FOX 17 they had a gun at their leased booth during the Women’s Expo in an effort to educate woman about protection and personal safety. The lawsuit claims, DeVos Place asked them to remove the weapon, saying the gun violates their policy. Attorneys also say their clients were told police would be called, and that they would be charged with trespassing if they didn’t comply.
As FOX 17 reported in March, state law allows for gun bans in places like sports arenas and stadiums, but doesn`t clearly ban them from convention centers.
The lawsuit is asking for a judge to clear up the convention center’s policy on weapons. It’s also seeking payment for the group’s time at the expo, along with their attorney fees.
FOX 17 reached out to DeVos Place as well as the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority for comment on the lawsuit, but have not heard back yet.
