Firearms Banned at Upcoming Arts, Beats & Eats Festival

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - You're invited to the party, but leave your gun behind. That's the rule for the upcoming Arts, Beats and Eats festival in Royal Oak.

Robert Harris has a permit to carry a concealed weapon and is member of Michigan Open Carry, an advocacy group for people who carry firearms. When the Ford Arts, Beats and Eats festival debuts in downtown Royal Oak on Labor Day weekend, Harris is going to be carrying his revolver. That in spite of a contract the festival has with the city banning weapons.

"There's a specific law that they're violating. Cities can't restrict firearm carry, and they have that in the contract, which can't be done. So, it's just a legal matter at this point. It's not a matter of my personal opinion of what should be done. It's the law. They're violating the law," said Harris.

The producer of Arts, Beats and Eats says the gun ban was in place the years the festival was held in Pontiac.

"I think it's absolutely the worst and wrong thing to have at a festival. I mean, there's alcohol served. There's large crowds together," said Jon Witz.

The city attorney is reviewing the legal issues involved in the contractual ban on carrying any kind of weapons when the Arts, Beats and Eats festival is held in Royal Oak.

The festival producer says plenty of police and security guards will be on hand and state lawmakers should consider expanding pistol free zones.

"The people that carry guns are law abiding citizens. They don't pose a threat or a risk to anybody. It just isn't good judgment for our event," Witz said.

The public is split.

"I don't think they can do that," said Bill Kupski. "That's my opinion."

"I believe that if you have a legal right to carry your weapon, I think you should be able to, but I don't think it's a very violent place in the first place," said Ryan Earnshaw.

"It seems a little absurd. I don't know why anyone would need to bring their gun here," said Lindsay Farris.

Robert Harris and others will be packing heat at Art, Beats and Eats.

"We're going to come to the festival because it's our right to. I will be carrying my firearm, and if they want to arrest me then they're going to be sued civilly for violating my rights," Harris said.

A lot of people have very strong feelings when it comes to guns and those who want to carry them in public. A new Rasmussen poll asked, "How concerned are you about your safety around those who have legal permits to carry concealed weapons?" 13-percent said they're very concerned. 26-percent were somewhat concerned. 30-percent said they're not very concerned, and 27-percent were not at all concerned. Four-percent said they were not sure.

Another poll question asked, "Does Michigan need stricter gun control laws?" 30-percent said yes, 56-percent said no and 14-percent were not sure.

FOX 2's Murray Feldman talked to Scott Webb from Michigan Open Carry. Click on the second video to watch their conversation. Plus, we want to know what you think. Post your thoughts in the comment section below.