WNEM TV 5 School board member reportedly carrying firearm openly on campus

There's a big controversy brewing in the small Gratiot County village of Breckenridge.

"I've heard about the school board member bringing a weapon to the board meetings and, as I understand, (also to) other functions in the school," says Mike Goodyear, a resident of Breckenridge.

TV5 has confirmed that school board member is identified Al Sanger.

We're told Sanger, a local corrections officer, has a concealed weapon's permit and openly carries a pistol onto school grounds during board meetings, sporting events, and other school functions.

"I believe it's a personal decision. I personally would make a different decision," Goodyear says.

He doesn't think anyone should be allowed to bring a gun onto a school campus.

"I just feel it's the wrong message to send to the young kids," he says. "You get enough people in the area where they are carrying weapons, you never know what could happen," Goodyear adds.

Sanger's actions garnered so much controversy that it made its way to the Gratiot County prosecuting attorney who decided if Sanger was breaking the law.

"There was not a request for any prosecution. It was merely an inquiry," says Gratiot County prosecutor Keith Kusion.

Kusion says it's important to note that Al Sanger is not concealing his weapon.

"The question that was asked to me is, 'Can you open carry at a school?' And the answer to that is 'yes,' unless you're carrying the weapon with unlawful intent," Kusion explained.

He says Michigan law does prohibit carrying a pistol in some public areas, but not schools.

"...Like a bank or a court, a theatre, a sports arena, but schools are not in that category," Kusion explained.

Unlike other school districts, the Breckenridge Community School District does not have a policy barring firearms on school grounds.

TV5 did receive a statement from the district's superintendent.

In part, it reads: "Mindful of public concern about this issue, the Board of Education has directed its legal counsel to evaluate alternative means of regulating the possession of fire arms on school property. The board expects to obtain further legal counsel from its attorneys in the near future and conduct a full review of its options."

We tried getting in touch with Sanger for a comment, but the school district is handling all statements on this matter.

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