ANN ARBOR, MI - The city of Ann Arbor is formally weighing in on a legal case before the Michigan Supreme Court regarding whether school districts should be able to ban guns in schools.

The City Council voted unanimously Monday night, Feb. 5, to authorize City Attorney Stephen Postema to file an amicus brief in the case of Michigan Gun Owners Inc. v. Ann Arbor Public Schools.

The city is siding with the school district, which is defending policies it adopted in 2015 banning firearms on school property.

"I am very excited about this opportunity to make the voice of the city of Ann Arbor heard on this important issue," said Mayor Christopher Taylor, calling it crucially important.

Amicus briefs are legal documents filed in court by entities that are not parties to the litigation but have a strong interest in the case and want to offer supporting information or arguments.

The school district asked the city to file a supporting brief. The City Council stated in its resolution Monday night that the safety issues in the case are of paramount importance to the city.

Michigan Gun Owners -- along with Ulysses Wong, a concealed pistol license holder and parent of an Ann Arbor school student - sued the school district in April 2015, arguing the district doesn't have the authority to make laws about guns and that Michigan law allows openly carrying guns on school property because local governments are preempted from regulating possession of firearms.

Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Carol Kuhnke dismissed the case in September 2015 and Michigan Gun Owners appealed.

While state law allows people with concealed pistol licenses to openly carry firearms in schools, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in December 2016 that the law does not preempt school districts from enacting their own firearms policies. Michigan Gun Owners Inc. is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to review the matter and the court is expected to hear oral arguments on the appeal.

The school district has argued Michigan law gives school districts the right to address the safety and welfare of students and prevent disruption to the educational environment by enacting policies such as those in question. Michigan Gun Owners argues schools that prevent law-abiding gun owners from openly carrying guns in schools are doing nothing to enhance student safety.

"It's just wrong-headed thinking. No law is going to stop the next mass shooting at a school. It's silly to think otherwise," Michigan Gun Owners attorney Jim Makowski said after the Court of Appeals ruling in December 2016. "No one wants the next Columbine."

Ann Arbor Public Schools updated its policies regarding guns on school property after Ann Arbor resident Joshua Wade openly carried a gun to a choir concert at Pioneer High School in March 2015, an incident that sparked concern and debate. Choir director Steven Lorenz noticed the gun and called the police, who responded and acknowledged state law allows openly carrying firearms in schools.

Taylor said he was in attendance when that incident happened and it was a disruption.

"When the school board conducted its analysis of how best to provide a safe place for its staff, students and visitors, the city of Ann Arbor was there to support it and to honor their assessment," he said.

"This is something that is crucial and is fundamental, I think, to the values of this community," he said of the position the city is taking. "And I'm glad that we have this opportunity to participate and hopefully convince the court as to the righteousness of our position."