Q: MCL 750.234d lists pistol free zones (PFZ) for open carry, “An establishment licensed under the Michigan liquor control act, Act No. 8 of the Public Acts of the Extra Session of 1933, being sections 436.1 to 436.58 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.” While MSP’s website states “A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises.” Can you clarify if these are different references to the same area?
— James,
from the internet

A: You are correct that MCL 750.234d states “An establishment licensed under liquor control…” as a PFZ. This is a PFZ for open carry. MCL 28.425o lists a PFZ as “A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass served on the premises.” This is for concealed carry. They are two different areas. MCL 28.425o concerns concealed carry and is very specific about the tavern. MCL 234d, concerning open carry, covers all locations licensed under the Liquor Control Commission. This includes party stores, gas stations or other establishments that sell six-packs, cases, etc.

On the night of March 16, 1943, a Bay City man telephoned the home of local State Police Post Commander, Sgt. Fred Keune, to report two boys, aged 18 and 15, had been standing on the ice in Saginaw Bay when it cracked apart, setting them adrift. Sgt. Keune called the Post and Trooper Ralph Broullire, 28, assigned to the Bay City Post, was dispatched to the scene. A Coast Guard boatswain’s mate arrived, along with deputies with a sheriff’s department boat. The boat was not seaworthy. Other troopers attempted rescue with a state police boat but the waves and water were too rough.
Through signals with flashlights, the boys, helped by 55 mph winds, were now about two miles out in the bay. Coast Guard officials from Tawas City and Harbor Beach were on the way. The urgency of rescue prompted Broullire and two other men to use the sheriff’s department boat to attempt a rescue. Last contact from anyone was about 11:30 that evening.
A state police detail remained alert on shore all night and throughout the next day. Coast Guard cutters arrived on March 17, but high winds and waves forced them to turn back.
Broullire’s body was finally recovered on April 18 after it floated to shore.
The other four people also perished in the event.
Broullire, who enlisted in the MSP on December 18, 1937, was buried at Iron Mountain and was the 14th trooper to die in the line of duty.