NEW:
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Attorney General's office is considering whether charges should be filed against a county commissioner who displayed a rifle at a livestreamed public meeting. A spokesman for Attorney General Dana Nessel says the move follows a state police investigation of Grand Traverse County Commissioner Ron Clous' act. During the Jan. 20 meeting, Clous showed the rifle on camera as a caller voiced concern about the far-right Proud Boys group. His gesture prompted a public backlash and international headlines.
(ORIGINAL POST - Jan. 21, 2021):
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A county official in northern Michigan is drawing criticism after displaying a rifle in response to a citizen's criticism of a far-right group during an online public meeting. The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Ron Clous was among members of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners taking part in the livestreamed meeting Wednesday. During a public comment period, a woman criticized the board for allowing members of the neo-fascist Proud Boys to address the commission last year. Clous then stepped away from his webcam and returned with a rifle. He told the newspaper he wanted to show his support for the Second Amendment.
