Legislative Action Alert

The more radical anti-gun members of the Michigan Legislature are up to their shenanigans again with the recently introduced Senate Bills 857 and 858.

On the surface, these bills appear to extend bans on legal carry to the Michigan State Capitol, the Binsfield Senate Office Building, and the Anderson House Office Building [Note: The bills would exempt members of the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives from these bans.]

Recognizing that the Michigan House of Representatives may likely switch back to a Republican majority after the November election, placing these bans now in statutory law would prevent Republicans from reversing them next year as Democrats are expected to continue to hold control of the Michigan Senate and the governor's office through the end of 2026. However, the language in the bills goes much further.

Anyone who has taken a concealed pistol license class in Michigan should remember that Michigan has two laws that impose pistol free zones. MCL 28.425o includes a list of locations where concealed pistol license holders may not carry a concealed weapon. The other law, MCRGO 750.234d, contain an older list of gun free zones. This second law exempts concealed pistol license holders.

While there is some overlap between the two laws, MCL 750.234d is the more restrictive of two. For example, it makes financial institutions gun free zones. It lacks the permission exception for places of religious worship in MCL 28.425o. The biggest difference is that it does not allow firearms possession on the premises of any location with a liquor license whereas MCL 28.425o only bans concealed carry in bars & taverns.

Senate Bill 858 would strip out the exception for a "person licensed by this state or another state to carry a concealed weapon" from MCL 750.234d. The result would make over 20,000 locations in Michigan off-limits for licensed concealed carry. This would include not only party stores, but any grocery store, gas station, pharmacy, hotel, club, special event, watercraft, retailer, etc. with any type of liquor license, active or not. And that is only locations with liquor licenses. It doesn't account for other locations such as banks and credit unions. The impact is so broad that Senate Bill 858 would effectively outlaw defensive carry in Michigan.

So why did the nine sponsors and co-sponsors, including the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduce this legislation? One may suspect the removal of the exemption for concealed pistol license holders was intended to only apply to the Capitol and legislative office buildings and was mistakenly extended to all locations in 750.234d. However, that's improbable. Bills in Michigan aren't written directly by legislators but instead by the nonpartisan and professional Legislative Service Bureau that would have informed the sponsors about the unintended consequences.

It's certainly possible that some of these legislators may not support self-defense rights including the legal defensive carry of firearms even though that would clearly violate Article 1, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution they took an oath to support. It is more plausible they knowingly introduced draconian bills in order to win votes through amendments from other legislators reluctant to support the bills as introduced. We saw this tactic used with last year's polling place gun ban legislation.

Regardless, we please ask that you make your opposition known to your state senator. You can locate your state senator HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

L.A.I.D. Free Women's Shooting Event

Saturday & Sunday, July 27-28, 2024 from 9 AM to 7 PM

Recoil Firearms; 22509 Ecorse, Taylor MI 48180

Women will be taught how to hold, load, and shoot 20 rounds of ammo at a stationary paper target. Participation is free but requires advance online registration. Registration begins on July 7, 2024 HERE.

MCRGO Upper Peninsula Picnic

Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 11 AM to 2 PM

Ottawa Sportsmen's Club; 11075 M-38; Pelkie, MI 49958

No RSVP is required.

Open to MCRGO members, friends & family.

MCRGO will provide grilled items and beverages at no cost.

You are encouraged to bring your firearms, ammunition, and ear & eye protection.

MCRGO Fall Firearms Festival

Saturday, September 21, 2024, 11 AM to 4 PM

Fin & Feather Club of Mason County; 3276 N Darr Rd, Scottville, MI 49454

Open to MCRGO members, friends & family. No RSVP is required.

Details regarding the event will be at MCRGO.org by mid-August.