MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS "Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation." MONDAY E'NEWS   Polling Place Gun Ban Bills House Bills 4127 and 4128 were reported out of the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee last week without amendments and are expected to be voted on by the full Senate shortly. These bills already passed the Michigan House on a party line vote of 56-53 last November. Consequently, if the bills pass the full Senate without amendments, they will go directly to the governor. MCRGO opposes the bills. House Bill 4127 prohibits the possession of firearms at or within 100 feet of a polling place during election day. The bill also prohibits firearms possession at early voting sites beginning on the second Saturday before an election and ending on the Sunday before the election, and within 100 feet of an absentee voter ballot drop box for 40 days before an election. The full analysis can be found HERE. Consider the impact of this bill on legal carry outside the home. Many ballot drop boxes are located curbside within 100 feet of roads, streets, and sidewalks. There are several dozens of these drop boxes in each county. Kent County, for example, has 42 ballot drop boxes. Other than perhaps the one closest to your home, you likely are not aware of others you walk past while carrying for self-defense. House Bill 4127 would make it a misdemeanor with up to 90 days imprisonment to otherwise legally carry an exposed firearm within 100 feet of a ballot drop box within 40 days of an election. Michigan has three regular election dates per year plus presidential primaries and special elections. That's at least one third of the year, every year, that these roads, streets, sidewalks, libraries, local government buildings, and adjacent businesses would be off limits to legal defensive carry outside the home unless the firearm is concealed or in a vehicle. Michigan law already prohibits brandishing a firearm in public. Brandish is defined in MCL 750.222 as "to point, wave about, or display in a threatening manner with the intent to induce fear in another person." If the intent of these bills is truly to prevent harassment and intimidation at polling places and ballot counting locations, the bills would focus on brandishing at these locations. Instead, they target legal self-defense in general through a ban on simple possession of firearms including lawful open carry with or without a CPL. Please contact your state senator and ask them to oppose House Bill 4127 and House Bill 4128 unless they are amended to replace "possess" with "brandish." You can locate your state senator HERE. To see how this legislation would impact you, you can find ballot drop box locations HERE. The text of HB 4127 can be found HERE. The text of HB 4128 can be found HERE. New Gun Bills Introduced Several new firearms bills were introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives this month. They include: HB 5450: would require MDHHS to develop and provide information regarding the safe storage of firearms to the Michigan Department of Education. HB 5451: would require school districts to provide information regarding the safe storage of firearms to parents and legal guardians. HB 5453: would prohibit raffling off firearms at fundraisers on school grounds. HB 5454: would extend the sunset on the firearm safety device use tax exemption. HB 5455: would extend the sunset on the firearm safety device sales tax exemption. HB 5467: would provide for a website for concealed pistol license reciprocity. HB 5468: would provide for a QR code on concealed pistol licenses. HB 5469: would provide requirements for a concealed pistol license reciprocity website. The status and text of all current Michigan firearms legislation can be found HERE. UPCOMING EVENTS 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. Northern Lower Peninsula Picnic with Michigan's Allied Gun Groups Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 11 AM to 1 PM Northland's Sportsmen's Club; 1592 Old Alba Road; Gaylord, MI 49735 No RSVP is required. Open to MCRGO members, friends & family. MCRGO/MOC/MGO will provide grilled items and beverages at no cost. You are encouraged to bring your firearms, ammunition, and ear & eye protection. 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!