TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A Zoom meeting, a rifle, and a public comment about the Proud Boys at a Grand Traverse County commissioners meeting in 2021 ended in an agreement to shell out $100,000 to settle a federal lawsuit. It stemmed from an incident where then- Commissioner Ron Clous decided the best response to a constituent’s concern was to briefly leave a virtual meeting and return with a semi-automatic rifle.
The incident happened just two weeks after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, when public nerves were raw, and Zoom meetings were the norm thanks to COVID-19 protocols. Local resident Patricia “Keli” MacIntosh asked the commissioners to denounce the far-right Proud Boys – who had spoken at a county meeting the previous year in support of a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolution.
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In reply, Clous came back on-screen with his rifle for a few seconds during the meeting.
Gun display sparks legal and social backlash.
The brief gun showing went viral, sparking national coverage and social media outrage. MacIntosh later filed suit, claiming the display was intimidating and could chill public participation.
Clous’ defenders said it was just a display of Second Amendment rights. Critics said it looked more like a threat – intentional or not.
Case closed, wallets open.
The Michigan attorney general’s office declined to pursue criminal charges, citing lack of evidence for malicious intent. However, the civil suit dragged on for years, bouncing from district court to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals before finally reaching the conclusion with a settlement and a forced apology letter.
According to a report from the Traverse City Record-Eagle, the nine-member county board voted unanimously to settle the case in a closed session on May 8.
They also reported Clous’ apology as the following: “While not my intent, I understand that my actions in getting my rifle could reasonably have caused you to feel uncomfortable or intimidated, and for that, I apologize.”
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For a guy no longer in office (Clous lost a bid for drain commissioner in 2024) the baggage for the county is now officially offloaded – with the county’s insurance reportedly paying the bill.
As far as what will happen with the $100,000, MacIntosh says that she might create a scholarship fund after paying attorney fees.
