A resolution to honor the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners.
Whereas, In 1925 a white mob attacked the home of Doctor Ossian Sweet, a Black physician who had just moved to an all-white neighborhood. Shots were fired by both sides including by Doctor Sweet. In a famous trial, Doctor Sweet, represented by attorney Clarence Darrow, argued successfully that he was acting in justifiable self defense and was found not guilty of the murder of a member of the mob.
Whereas, In reaction to Doctor Sweet's acquittal, the Ku Klux Klan successfully lobbied the Michigan Legislature in 1927 for the passage of Public Act 372 which which gave local county gun boards discretionary authority to grant concealed carry licenses only to those who in their opinion had a need to defend themselves.
Whereas, This racist "may issue" law gave wide latitude to the gun boards, and resulted in practices varying from issuance only to police officers and friends and political supporters of the board to a few counties where every honest person could obtain a concealed carry license.
Whereas, In 1987 the State of Florida adopted “shall issue” concealed carry licensure for its residents as well as residents of other states. Many in Michigan applied for Florida licenses in hopes that they could thus circumvent the restrictive Michigan laws against concealed carry. A Detroit resident was convicted of carrying a pistol in violation of Michigan law even though he had a legitimate Florida license.
Wheres, In 1993 State Representative Alan Cropsey introduced legislation designed to reform the inconsistent and unfair practices of the local county gun boards. The essential feature of this bill required that each gun board "shall issue" a concealed carry license to every qualified applicant, thus removing the onerous discretionary feature from the law.
Whereas, Prior to 1997 Michigan had several disparate state firearms groups. These groups took an “all or nothing” stance opposing virtually everything that was proposed. Thus they actively opposed shall issue concealed carry, resulting in the loss of credibility with legislators who believed that they did not represent mainstream voters.
Whereas, Against this background, frustrated activists met initially in November 1996 at Lansing and then subsequently created the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners at a meeting on January 31, 1997 at Chief Okemos Sportsman's Club in Diamondale. The new organization placed an emphasis on responsible gun ownership and working with the Legislature to craft laws that represent improvement over current existing law, even if short of perfection.
Whereas, Recognizing that membership growth was critical, the first members began to work tables at gun shows and any event where they believed they could persuade people to join. It was this small group and their dedication of time and energy that carried the organization in its early stages.
Whereas, MCRGO's founders saw clearly, after the difficulties with the Cropsey bill under antagonistic House leadership, that the only reliable way to assure meaningful firearms reform was to elect legislators sympathetic to the rights of firearms owners. MCRGO therefore created three entities: MCRGO, a Michigan non-profit; MCRGO Political Action Committee (PAC), a registered lobbying group; and the MCRGO Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charity supporting education and litigation defending gun rights.
Whereas, Communication was key to spreading the word that an organization existed that would work with the Legislature for the good of Michigan's firearms owners. In about 1998, MCRGO created an internet talk list, to which anyone could contribute anything regarding Michigan firearms rights. The growth of the organization could not have taken place so fast without this new form of communication. Further, MCRGO created its first website, MCRGO.org, which continues to the present day.
Whereas, in 1998, members of MCRGO were successful in electing a pro-shall issue majority to the Michigan House of Representatives. Representative Chuck Perricone, a strong supporter of the shall issue reform, was elected Speaker of the House.
Whereas, As Alan Cropsey was term-limited out of the House, Representative Mike Green reintroduced Cropsey's reform bill in early 1999. Extensive testimony was given before House and Senate committees. These meetings were very well attended, particularly by representatives of MCRGO, and the vocal opposition of earlier years was much subdued. The publication of John Lott's book, More Guns Less Crime, and his scholarly testimony before the House were instrumental in educating the Legislature on the relevant facts regarding the benefits of concealed carry to every honest citizen.
Whereas, with the invaluable assistance of the NRA working with MCRGO, the Michigan House and Michigan Senate passed differing versions of shall issue legislation. In the House, more than one hundred amendments were put forth in an effort to stall and defeat the purpose of the bill. MCRGO volunteers worked diligently in the lobby to call out representatives to discuss the significance of changes intended by these amendments.
Whereas, MCRGO continued its successful efforts at growth, and by the spring of 2000 had grown to some 4000 members and maintained almost constant pressure on legislative leadership to appoint a House-Senate conference committee to complete passage of this legislation. Finally, following the 2000 election, MCRGO, the NRA, and MUCC worked out an compromise version acceptable to the House, Senate, and governor. On December 13, 2000, the legislation passed both chambers by substantial margins. Governor Engler signed the bill into law on January 2, 2001 as Public Act 381 of 2000.
Whereas, Using substantial funds from out of state, opponents to the new law submitted a referendum to the Secretary of State to overturn it. Because PA 381 contained two different appropriations for state agencies and was thus not susceptible to a referendum according to the Michigan Constitution, MCRGO and MUCC filed a lawsuit to stop the Secretary of State from proceeding with the referendum. A three-judge panel found in favor of the referendum, as did a subsequent appeals court. The issue was appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, which at about 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29 found for the plaintiffs in a 4-3 decision. Thus PA 381 took effect the following Monday, July 2, 2001.
Whereas, MCRGO worked with Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm to create Michigan's Castle Doctrine law in 2006, eliminating the duty to retreat. The organization also worked with Republican Governor Rick Snyder to pass concealed pistol license reform in 2015, eliminating county gun boards, the last vestige of the racist “may issue” system, nearly a century after the Ossain Sweet incident that led to their creation.
Whereas, MCRGO has been active legally throughout its history including its landmark victory in MCRGO v. Ferndale which established foundational case law supporting Michigan's preemption statute.
Whereas, MCRGO established a concealed pistol license training program in 2016 leading to the certification of over 42,000 students by the end of 2021 and contributing to Michigan's exponential increase in current concealed pistol license holders. MCRGO has taken dynamic action to enlarge gender, racial, age, geographic, and political diversity of responsible gun owners in Michigan and as a result is now the largest state based firearms organization in the United States.
Resolved by the House of Representatives / Senate, That the members of this legislative body honor the 25th anniversary of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners. We honor its members, volunteers, directors, and staff for their role in promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation over the past quarter century and recognize that the coalition and its partners are essential to protecting Article 1, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution.
