MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS "Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation." MONDAY E'NEWS New Approaches to Stop Mass Shootings Last week's mass shooting at Michigan State University was a failure of existing firearms laws. It was a failure of the former Ingham County Prosecutor's soft on crime approach. It's a failure to adequately monitor potentially violent parolees, particularly those with reported mental health issues. And once again, it's a failure of gun free zone laws that attract mass shootings by preventing victims from effective self-defense. The increasing number of mass shootings are the result of complex factors in today's world rather than legal firearms ownership. Since the founding of our country, access to guns hasn't loosened -it's gotten tighter. But despite a proliferation in gun control laws across the United States and the world, the problem is getting worse. This is not a uniquely American issue. Just two months ago, our neighbors in Ontario experienced a mass shooting with six dead. Australia also had a mass shooting this past December with three dead. Denmark's July 2022 Copenhagen Mall shooting left three dead and four critically injured. These recent examples also don't count the mass homicides that use other methods such as explosives and motor vehicles. The June 2021 London, Ontario truck attack left four dead. The April 2018 Toronto, Ontario van attack resulted in 11 fatalities. Traditional gun control that focuses on the guns rather than criminals is opportunistic politics rather than effective public policy. The poor results of strict gun control laws in Chicago, California, and Canada have made that clear. However, there are policy answers that may offer solutions. Last week, a 13-bill School Safety package was introduced in the Michigan Legislature. The legislation follows recommendations from the House's Bipartisan School Safety Task Force formed after last year's mass shooting at Oxford. It established uniform practices to address mental health and improve school security. Community Violence Intervention strategies being promoted by the United States Department of Justice focus on partnerships between law enforcement, community social services, and non-profits to intervene in the lives of those most at risk of engaging in violent crime. Detroit is a pilot city for this new program. Additional laws making it increasingly difficult for law abiding gun owners to own and carry firearms for self-defense are not going to lead to fewer homicides. Like gun free zones, gun control policies only empower criminals. However, new policy approaches that focus on mental health and which seek to prevent violent crime by addressing and interrupting the root causes of violence could prove effective in stopping mass shootings. Senate Gun Control Bills Introduced Three sets of gun control bills were introduced in the Michigan Senate last week. These bills include Long Gun Background Checks, Storage Mandates, and Red Flag. MCRGO opposes these bills as they focus on restricting legal access to firearms for self-defense rather than addressing the root causes of violent crime and increasing school safety. Senate Bills 76-78: These bills would require background checks prior to private party sales of long guns. These bills go so far as to criminalize loaning a rifle or shotgun to a friend or family member. A long gun registry would be necessary for these background checks to be enforceable. Senate Bills: 79-82: Despite the United States Supreme Court already declaring storage mandates unconstitutional in District of Columbia v. Heller as they prevent quick access to a firearm for self-defense, these bill would impose such laws in Michigan with prison terms up to 15 years and fines up to $7,500. Senate Bills 83-86: The Senate Red Flag package would allow seizure of firearms without due process based on weak standards of evidence. MCRGO strongly opposes any Red Flag type legislation that does not allow the accused to be heard in court before their self defense rights are stripped away. Please contact your state senator asking them to oppose these bills. You can find your state senator HERE. The status of state firearms legislation is provided HERE. MCRGO will send out an action alert once a committee hearing is schedule on these bills. We anticipate that will happen soon. UPCOMING EVENTS Outdoorama Thursday through Sunday, February 23-26, 2023 Suburban Collection Showplace; 46100 Grand River Avenue; Novi, MI Open to the public, tickets at door, MCRGO Booth Number 5467 Ultimate Sports Show Thursday through Sunday, March 9-12, 2023 DeVos Place; 303 Monroe Ave. NW; Grand Rapids, MI Open to the public, tickets at door, MCRGO Booth Number 2067 Michigan Legislative Second Amendment Caucus Picnic Saturday, June 24, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 PM Northland Sportsmen's Club; 1592 Old Alba Road, Gaylord, MI Open to MCRGO members, no RSVP is necessary. MCRGO | PO Box 14014, Lansing, MI 48901 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!