LANSING - While a concealed carry permit allows you to freely carry a concealed weapon, there are many areas which are off limits

Places such as schools are actually gun free zones, and you are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon. However, the gun free zone only applies to those who wish to conceal their weapon. If a person wanted to openly carry their gun, that would be legal and within their rights to do so.

“There is nothing in the constitution itself prohibiting open carry, and if there's nothing in there, then it’s legal to do that,” said Demmer Center Firearms Trainer Albert VanSteenkiste.

Opponents of the open carry in gun free zones argue that openly displaying guns can cause fear, however VanSteenkiste argues that disallowing guns completely from the areas can open them up to much worse situations.

“We call them criminal empowerment zones, or pistol free zones, where people can go in and if they know it’s a pistol free zone, such as schools, they can wreak havoc,” said VanSteenkiste. “You want to have kids safe in school, I mean that’s a safe haven for them. But you’ll find out that most people that will carry concealed or open carry are not there to cause issues.”

The debate between open and concealed carry in gun free zones continues, as new bills have been brought forward in the state legislature.