MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS "Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation." MONDAY E'NEWS   Happy New Year from MCRGO! May the year ahead bring you peace, health, and prosperity. We have some good news to share with you on the legal and legislative fronts as we enter 2024. Gun Groups Prevail again over City of Flint The Michigan Court of Appeals has denied an emergency request from the City of Flint to overturn the preliminary injunction which prevents the City from banning guns within City Hall. In its order, the Court of Appeals stated, "The application for leave to appeal is denied for failure to persuade the Court of the need for immediate appellate review." The City of Flint has removed metals detectors and signs that designated City Hall as a gun free zone after the trial court judge determined the City had failed to initially comply with the preliminary injunction. Michigan's allied gun groups look forward to the injunction soon becoming permanent. Judges Strike Down Redistricting Maps Future elections in Southeast Michigan's legislative districts are on hold after a three-judge federal panel ruled that the race-based drawing of Michigan’s 2021 House and Senate redistricting maps was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The ruling looks likely to upset Michigan Democrats' razor-thin legislative hold on power. The decision could also impact the special House elections in the 13th and 25th House districts in Westland and Warren left open by the resignation of former Representatives Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman. While those two districts are not part of the 13 combined House and Senate districts ruled to be gerrymandered, they both border the gerrymandered districts and may also need to be redrawn. House Democrats would like expedited special elections to happen as scheduled by Governor Whitmer to restore their House majority. However, those special elections may need to be canceled to prevent elections in House districts based on an unconstitutional map. As a result, the House’s partisan split of 54-54 could remain for most of 2024 preventing any new gun control legislation in the year ahead. Michigan's Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is required to file a brief by tomorrow on how it would prefer the maps be redrawn or appeal the federal panel's decision to the United States Supreme Court. This task has been complicated by the resignation of three commissioners, including two Democrats, following the panel's ruling. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has said she would need about four months after any redrawing to update the state's qualified voter file. The gerrymandering, in part, contributed to Democrats taking control of the Michigan House and Michigan Senate in the November 2022 election by combining urban neighborhoods with more affluent suburban areas. The federal judges will decide later this month whether the gerrymandered districts can be redrawn without impacting the surrounding legislative districts including the two scheduled for special elections. The seven racially gerrymandered Michigan House districts. Source: Bridge Magazine UPCOMING EVENTS 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. MCRGO | PO Box 2294, Grand Rapids, MI 49501 [email protected] Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!