Should People be Allowed to Have Firearms in Michigan Movie Theaters?

A deadly shooting early Friday during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at a movie theater in Colorado has spurred debate about whether stricter gun laws could have prevented the tragedy.

Some gun rights advocates argue that, had a member of the audience been carrying a firearm, they could have used it to stop the shooter. Advocates of more stringent gun rules, however, say more weapons lead to more chaos and ensuring public safety should be left to law enforcement.

Most Michigan adults are legally permitted to openly carry registered pistols without a permit and concealed pistols with a permit under Michigan law. Individuals may also .

Municipalities aren't allowed to regulate the possession of firearms. According to state law MCL 750.234d, however, the following entities prohibit individuals from carrying firearms onto the premises:

• Churches
• Courts
• Theaters
• Sports arenas
• Day care centers
• Hospitals
• Establishments licensed under the Michigan Liquor Control Act

However, according to MCL 28.425o, a person with a Concealed Pistol License may, with the property owner's permission, open or conceal carry a firearm into an entertainment facility that has a seating capacity of fewer than 2,500. If the entertainment facility has a seating capacity over 2,500, the CPL holder may not carry a firearm concealed, but may openly carry a firearm, with the property owner's permission.

Should people be allowed to have firearms in Michigan movie theaters? Take our poll.