KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo County commissioners will get a briefing on what weapons can and cannot be brought into county buildings, and by whom, when they meet on Tuesday.
It began with what board chairperson John Taylor thought was a routine matter amending the county’s ban on employees carrying weapons, allowing them to have small pepper spray devices considered non-lethal weapons by law.
“I did not think allowing our employees to have low-grade pepper spray would be a controversial issue,” Taylor said.
But the county’s attorney chose to clarify the rest of the weapons rule, spelling out that commissioners and other elected officials are waived from the rule banning gun possession. Some don’t think they should be.
Sheriff’s deputies, certain personnel on the prosecutor’s staff and a few others in law enforcement are also exempt.
There was also confusion about the state laws on open-carry and concealed weapons permits and how they impact who can pack a pistol in public places. The county is in compliance, but state law on the subject is complicated.
The issue was delayed two weeks to give staff time to explain it all.
It will be discussed at the board’s afternoon work session. It will be put to a vote at Tuesday’s meeting.
– John McNeill
