MICHIGAN COALITION FOR
RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS

"Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms
through education, litigation, and legislation."

MONDAY E'NEWS

Gun Groups Prevail in Court

The Genesee County Circuit Court has granted Michigan's allied gun groups a preliminary injunction against the City of Flint's unlawful, so-called 'gun-free zone' because it violates Michigan's Open Meetings Act.


The court ruled that since members of the general public are otherwise lawfully permitted to possess personal protection items under state law at the City's open meetings, Plaintiffs have demonstrated that they have a likelihood of success on the merits and would suffer irreparable harm if the motion were denied.


Since members of the general public lose their opportunity to attend proceedings of any open meeting of the City, tape-record and/ or videotape them, broadcast them live on radio, and/ or telecast them live on television once the meeting has come and gone, Plaintiffs have demonstrated that they would suffer irreparable harm if the motion were denied.


Michigan's allied gun groups look forward to making the injunction permanent.

The preliminary injunction can be read in full HERE.

Whitmer Calls House Special Elections

This past week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer called special elections for the two vacant House seats that cost Michigan House Democrats a legislative majority in early November. The primary election will be held on January 30 and the general election on April 16. It takes about a week following the general election for votes to be certified. So Democrats will be denied a House majority until at least late April 2024. The Michigan House of Representatives typically breaks for the summer by late June. In election years like 2024, that break will often continue through early November other than sporadic session days in later August and early September.

Whitmer Signs Domestic Violence Bills

Last Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed sweeping bills stripping gun rights for non-violent offenders. She argued the gun violence bill package is necessary to protect lives threatened by domestic violence.


The bills ban individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from buying, owning, or transporting firearms for eight years after sentencing.


But the bills also cover many nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors, including breaking into vending machines and parking meters; tampering with electronic tethers; property squatting; polluting; recording in a movie theater; and joyriding.


All told, the bills force gun and ammo bans on more than 100 legal scenarios not involving domestic violence.


Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) opposed the bills. Prior to the House of Representatives’ vote on the bill package, he noted several specific misdemeanor infractions that would result in individuals losing their right to defend themselves with the firearm for more than eight years, including:


  • A girl pushing or shoving her former roommate at a college reunion.
  • An ex-girlfriend using her key to get into her boyfriend’s house to get her things without his permission.
  • An ex-girlfriend smashing her boyfriend’s pumpkins on his front porch.
  • An ex-girlfriend egging her boyfriend’s house and accidentally breaking a window.
  • An ex-girlfriend repeatedly calling her ex-boyfriend.


“I don’t recommend doing any of the above — they’re crimes — but they’re petty misdemeanors and shouldn’t cause individuals to become sitting ducks for violent criminals by losing their right to defend themselves for more than eight years,” Schriver said.


As federal courts have already struck down prohibitors for non-violent felonies, there is a strong likelihood these prohibitors for non-violent misdemeanors will face legal challenges.


Source: The Midwesterner 11.21.23

UPCOMING EVENTS


MCRGO Annual Meeting

Friday, December 1, 2023 from 11 AM to 2 PM

Coral Gables Restaurant; 2838 Grand River Ave.; East Lansing, MI 48823

MCRGO will provide a pizza & salad buffet with coffee, pop, and water. Donations voluntary. Only open to current MCRGO members. Due to limited seating, please RSVP to Brady at [email protected].


Outdoorama

Thursday-Sunday, February 22-25, 2024, Hours Vary by Day

Suburban Collection Showplace; 46100 Grand River Ave.; Novi, MI 48374

MCRGO's Booth Number is 5415.


Ultimate Sports Show

Thursday-Sunday, March 7-10, 2024, Hours Vary by Day

DeVos Place; 303 Monroe Ave. NW; Grand Rapids, MI 49503

MCRGO's Booth Number is 2067.