GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Grand Rapids judge has sided with gun rights activists, deeming it unlawful for local event venues to have weapons policies that outright ban the lawful carry of firearms.

Kent County Circuit Judge Joseph Rossi determined the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority's weapons policy contradicts state firearms laws, and thus their enforcement is unlawful.

The decision, which sided with Michigan Open Carry Inc. and Michigan Gun Owners Inc., was made Friday, May 26, during a hearing on a motion for summary disposition.

"Hopefully, my ruling inspires them to adjust their policy," Rossi said. "The court disagrees with the language ... I'll let the CAA determine its policy, as long as it fits the law."

At the heart of the lawsuit was a March 2016 incident in which exhibitors at the West Michigan Women's Expo at DeVos Place were told to disarm or leave, with a threat of potential trespassing charges.

The exhibitors, with holstered pistols, were there to share information about personal-defense options, according to the lawsuit. One left and the other two disarmed.

The authority's weapons policy prohibits concealed carry and allows lawful open-carry based on state laws and the desire of the organization leasing the properties.

Defense attorney Matt Nelson said the authority and SMG, the management company for the venues, allow the party leasing the properties to dictate the extent at which firearms are allowed or banned on the premise. If the leasing party has no preference, the policy defaults to lawful open-carry being allowed.

Open-carry advocates filed a lawsuit, asking a judge to declare that the authority and SMG cannot bar lawfully possessed firearms on the properties, and to prevent the organizations from "enforcing invalid attempts at firearm legislation/regulation which is preempted by state law."

Properties owned by the Convention and Arena Authority include DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall and Van Andel Arena.

Concealed carry is not permitted in Van Andel Arena, per state law, because the facility is a sports arena and because its capacity is greater than 2,500 people.

On Friday, attorney Dean Greenblatt, who represents Michigan Open Carry, said a no-concealed carry policy contradicts state law.

He argued that the properties are public and, while organizations leasing them could choose who they invite to a private event, they can't implement firearm regulations, and public entities cannot enforce them.

After hearing an hour of arguments and reviewing both sides of the lawsuit, Rossi sided with the open-carry advocates. The judge advised that the wording of the venues' weapons policy should be updated to properly align with Michigan's state gun laws.