Open Carry Dinner Held at Blue Pointe in Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - Proud and legal gun owners met Monday at a restaurant in Detroit. It was an event to let the public know they're not to be feared, but they will defend themselves, if needed.

The night included a little jazz, some good food, great conversation and lots and lots of guns.

Terri Strickland was among the patrons packing heat. Why?

"Because it's the law now and to keep me safe," she said.

"It's what I do. It's how I live my life," said Frank LoPiccolo.

The gun toting dad is passing his love for the firing machine along to his young son.

"It's a tool. You teach them to respect it and use it safely. He's four … He already knows some of the rules," LoPiccolo said.

Pistol packing patrons filled the tables at the Blue Pointe restaurant on Detroit's east side. It was an open carry dinner with the main course being public awareness. Michigan is one of 44 states that allows firearms to be legally carried openly, except for in pistol free zones.

"There are many law abiding citizens that exercise their right to bear arms. They follow the law. They carry their weapons responsibly and morally, and they're not out looking to shoot or kill anyone," said Kimberly Kane.

"The police are here to protect us, but they can't be everywhere. The purpose for many people of open carrying a firearm is that it serves as a visual deterrent to criminals who want to rape, rob or carjack them," said Rick Ector, who organized the event.

"This is not the wild, wild west," said Stephen Jones.

Carrying a gun in public may be legal, but for some there's nothing soothing about seeing armed citizens.

"That's even common courtesy not to put a threat in somebody else's mind as they walk past you," Jones said.

"For a citizen just to be walking around with guns out in the open, I don't really like that. I don't feel comfortable with that," said Kenya Powell.

"The way they (are) growing up today, they don't need to see that type of stuff. It (gives) the wrong message," said Lawuan Modock.

The open carry dinner was originally scheduled to take place later this week at a Detroit area Big Boy restaurant, but it had to be rescheduled after corporate got involved and said no guns allowed.