Capitol News

After protesters have staged multiple rallies in the state Capitol, officials and state police are denouncing those who brandish guns or are intent on making threats of violence.

The latest rally, protesting the state’s stay-at-home order, was organized by Michigan United for Liberty. Its leaders acknowledge that they have discouraged people from bringing firearms and don’t support messages of violence, but some protesters have done so anyway.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) addressed the issue of firearms, supporting the right to bear arms but noting that anyone who brandished a weapon in an aggressive manner or tried to threaten someone should be taken into custody.

“Law enforcement needs to take this upon their own hands,” Shirkey told the Detroit Free Press. “When those brandishing activities occur, they need to be addressed, and I’m calling on the attorney general and governor to do so with the cooperation of the Michigan State Police."

For its part, the state police have let it be known it will act accordingly for those who fail to follow social-distancing standards during the protests.

“Based on previous demonstrations at the Capitol, it is evident that not all people voluntarily comply with the safety measures put in place,” state police spokesperson Shanon Banner told the Detroit Free Press. “We will be prepared to take enforcement action, as necessary.”

Erica Pettinaro, cofounder of Michigan United for Liberty, told the Detroit Free Press that the rally was intended to draw attention to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “hypocrisy” and inconsistencies in the stay-at-home order. She said the group never encouraged violence nor protesters to come to the rally with guns, despite support of the second amendment.

“People do look at it as intimidating, even some of our members are turned off… It is our constitutional right, so we can’t stop people. But at the same time, we just want things to be peaceful,” Pettinaro told the Free Press.