Grand Traverse official who flashed a gun during a public meeting won't be charged

click to enlarge Grand Traverse County Commissioner Ron Clous pulls out a rifle during a virtual public meeting. - YouTube screenshot
YouTube screenshot
Grand Traverse County Commissioner Ron Clous pulls out a rifle during a virtual public meeting.

A Grand Traverse County commissioner who brandished a semiautomatic rifle during a virtual public meeting won’t be charged with a crime, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Friday.

Commission Vice Chair Ron Clous, a Republican, pulled out the rifle on Jan. 21 in response to a local a local resident telling him and his colleagues that she was concerned they were glorifying gun violence after they made the county a Second Amendment “sanctuary.”

The resident, Keli MacIntosh, filed a federal lawsuit against Clous and the county in April, asking a judge to deem Clous’ behavior illegal and unconstitutional and order that it never happens again. That case is ongoing.

After a “thorough” investigation, Nessel said there was not enough evidence to prove Clous acted with malicious intent.

“I find Commissioner Clous’ action to be reprehensible and irresponsible, but not illegal,” Nessel said in a statement. “While he will not face accountability in a courtroom, Commissioner Clous’ constituents have the power to make their opinions clear the next time he’s up for re-election.”

Cloud is serving a fourth term.

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About The Author

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling is an award-winning investigative journalist who operated Motor City Muckraker, an online news site devoted to exposing abuses of power and holding public officials accountable. Neavling also hosted Muckraker Report on 910AM from September 2017 to July 2018. Before launching Motor City Muckraker,...
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