Man who brought gun to school voting precinct frustrated after police called

[Judi Lynn]

Man who brought gun to school voting precinct frustrated after police called
Published: Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 11:14 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 2:11 AM

GRAND RAPIDS — Nicholas Looman says he carries a gun on a regular basis to exercise his rights as a licensed firearms holder.

He’s carried a pistol while grocery shopping, attending public events and while going about other parts of his daily routine. Looman believes he’s well-versed in the state’s right-to-carry laws.

So when he was stopped outside a voting precinct after casting his ballot in Tuesday’s primary election, Looman, 25, said he was frustrated, more than anything, with what he believes is a lack of understanding over what the laws are.

“I don’t want to be a problem. I don’t want to win a lawsuit, but I think there needs to be justice,” said Looman on Tuesday evening, hours after he was told to leave Aberdeen Elementary following a discussion with police. “I would like a public apology.”

More:
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/02/man_who_brought_to_gun_to_scho.html

[DrDan]

1. “Common sense tells you don’t bring a gun into a school.”

therein lies the problem

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. "I would like a public apology"

He'd like an apology because a school official wouldn't let him into the general school area with a gun. I'm surprised he wasn't stopped earlier, since the voting was done inside a school. It looks like he wasn't even detained, just told to leave.

If he's so well-versed in the state's laws, he should know you don't carry a gun into a school.

Well, ok Mr Looman, here's your public apology: This Bozo is sorry you're such a dumbass.

[left is right]

3. I could be wrong

but I think Indiana has gun restrictions on polling places

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. I think this was in Michigan. I don't know about guns in polling places.

But I know Michigan doesn't allow guns in schools. My polling place is in a High School lobby so I wouldn't consider walking in with a gun. Heck, even if my polling place was in a Starbucks, I wouldn't carry a gun to vote.

[PavePusher]

10. Open Carry at schools seems to be legal, if the carrier has a Concealed Pistol Permit.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

[petronius]

25. If a portion of a school was set aside as a polling station, I really don't

think that school rules or school officials should have any control over the area for the duration of the vote.

Of course, if the election was occurring on a school day I'd expect that the school would maintain a pretty close eye on entrances to the rest of the campus, and stop anyone heading that way - not just people with firearms...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

26. "should" being the key word.

I agree with you, but before I'd carry a gun into my voting precinct at the school, I'd find out the rule. Being somewhat lazy, I'll just leave the gun at home when I vote.

Plus, the polling place is not tightly contained. If anyone has to use the restroom, there was no problem walking past the polling area.

[baldguy]

4. Does he need the gun for his job? Does he feel threatened?

Are there any wild heffalumps that may block his path on his way home?

No.

He endangers the life & safety of everyone around him - including innocent children - just to prove he can. This is the very definition of ASSHOLE.

[Straw Man]

14. Do tell.

He endangers the life & safety of everyone around him - including innocent children - just to prove he can.

Could you explain how he does that? Do you mean merely by being in possession of a firearm? Do the police endanger the life and safety of everyone around them every time they venture forth from the station house?

If the state in question has a law against firearms in school buildings, then he has no case. If it doesn't, then he does.

[PavePusher]

5. He was actually fully legal and compliant with both Federal and Michigan law.

Imagine the horror of actually exercising two Constitutional Rights at the same time. If he'd tried for a third and/or fourth, the universe might have imploded!

[RevStPatrick]

6. Just because you have a right to be a dumbass...

...doesn't mean you have to do it at every opportunity.

Who are these people walking around with guns all the time?
I think there's something wrong with people like this guy.

[ellisonz]

12. "Who are these people walking around with guns all the time?"

Half this group.

[Hoyt]

13. I agree, but gun culture members think differently from the majority of society.

[rl6214]

16. What is this "gun culture" you always speak of?

I think you don't have a clue.

[Hoyt]

17. I was told here it is preference when referring to those who are obsessed with all things guns.

[rl6214]

20. "I was told here"...Exactly, you have NO clue

Here, let me help you out:

The gun culture is a culture shared by people in the gun politics debate, generally those who advocate preserving gun rights and who are generally against more gun control. In the United States, the term is used solely to identify gun advocates who are legitimate and legal owners and users of guns, using guns for self defense, sporting uses (hunting), and recreational uses (target shooting).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_culture

Now maybe you can start using that term correctly.

[Hoyt]

21. No, the "gun culture" is what Obama spoketh about. It includes some of your group, but yahoos too.

[rl6214]

22. One person's opinion, that's it. Do you have an Obama definition for "gun culture"?

I believe he spoke of the gun culture in general terms and I don't think "yahoos" was included in any of those terms.

[montanto]

9. Well, he did speak out about it so that's a third, and if he had pushed, he

might have used his "right to remain silent."

[ileus]

7. I gotta find out our laws before Va's primary.

I removed mine last time I voted, hopefully I won't have to this time around.

[ManiacJoe]

11. Sounds like the cops did the right thing. Surprisingly.

[PavePusher]

15. Actually, no, they didn't. See post #10. n/t

[ManiacJoe]

23. Maybe I am misreading the article.

The way I read it is that the cops received a complaint, arrived, checked out the situation, found no illegal activity, and left.

[PavePusher]

24. Oops, I think you are correct and I misunderstood what you were saying.

Please accept my apology.

Looks like the school banning him may be in the wrong.

[ileus]

18. Of all the places one should carry a gun to avoid being intimidated it's the polling place.

[iverglas]

19. it's the irrationality of it, eh?

Nicholas Looman says he carries a gun on a regular basis to exercise his rights as a licensed firearms holder.

Me, I jump off bridges on a regular basis to exercise my right to kill myself if I please.

(Yes, we all have that right, and in Canada it is not violated by things like laws against attempted suicide.)

Oh, and I stand around on streetcorners mumbling poetry to myself to exercise my right of free speech.

If this goon can't come up with an actual reason for what he's doing, well, he just sounds irrational to me.

Of course, we all knwo what his reason is. The right wing, gun militant reason.

All your polling stations are belong to them.

Along with all your grocery stores, all your churches, all your government buildings, all your public spaces.

[47of74]

27. See the picture of the guy in the article?

Methinks he is compensating for something here.