Rochester Hills considers gun carrying law

City Council will discuss the possibility of changing the law regarding carrying a gun in city parks, and will discuss a millage renewal issue for the August election. The council will discuss a request to place a millage renewal for the Older Persons Commission on the Aug. 3 ballot at City Council’s next regular meeting Monday. Marye Miller, director of the OPC, sent a letter on behalf of the OPC board asking for a 0.25-mill ballot question, which is actually an increase. A request for 0.25 will require language explaining a Headlee rollback, as the amount of the current millage is 0.244 in Rochester and Rochester Hills. The OPC is supported by Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. The Rochester City Council has expressed that it will not support placing an increase on the ballot for residents. Rochester Hills City Councilman and OPC board member Mike Webber said he felt there was some confusion between the OPC staff and the board concerning the amount to request on the ballot. To clarify, the OPC board voted six to one on Thursday in favor of a renewal at the current rate for the cities, which will not involve an increase nor special language on the ballot. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The council also will discuss whether to update its current ordinance concerning the right to carry and possess a firearm within city parks at council’s regular meeting Monday after a request was made by residents at a former meeting. According to the city attorney John Staran, the current ordinance inconsistent with state law and therefore is not enforceable. The city prohibits firearm possession in city parks. Staran said in a statement, “The city may prohibit the use of firearms in a park, but the city may not prohibit possession of firearms in a park.” The proposed new ordinance says it is unlawful to discharge a weapon in a park with the exception of an authorized peace officer carrying out the duties of his position. This leaves a person who discharges a weapon in self defense subject to prosecution of a misdemeanor by the city with a sentence of not more than 90 days confinement or jail and up to a $500 fine.