MICHIGAN COALITION FOR
RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS
"Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms
through education, litigation, and legislation."
MONDAY E'NEWS
|
|
The Attack on Concealed Carry |
|
When the current Michigan legislative session began in January, the new Democratic majority stated its focus would be on adopting long gun background checks, storage mandates and Red Flag laws. Bill introductions in recent weeks show an even more extreme direction.
Concealed carry is a major obstacle of gun control. Twenty years ago, Michigan had 40,000 concealed pistol license holders. Today it has 800,000. That's a lot more guns being carried outside the home by a lot more people. Shall-issue concealed carry [and now permitless constitutional carry in many states] empowers millions of Americans who no longer feel they have to rely on government for their own safety. This self-defense revolution, left unchecked and continuing to grow in both numbers and diversity, threatens to politically extinguish the gun control movement. Due to federal court decisions, shall-issue concealed carry cannot be banned outright. So Michigan House Democrats have introduced legislation to make it as difficult as possible.
Last Tuesday, MCRGO testified in the House Elections Committee against House Bill 4127 that would make it illegal to possess a firearm within 100' of a polling place including an absentee ballot drop box. Because most of these boxes are curbside, the bill would prohibit possession of a firearm along many roads, streets, municipal buildings, adjoining businesses, and sidewalks. Supporters of the bill claim that the mere presence of firearms at polling places, including absentee ballot drop boxes, intimidates voters -even if the firearm isn't visible.
Also last Tuesday, House Bill 4150 was introduced. The bill would ban possession and carry of firearms at any building owned or leased by the state. This would include Michigan highway rest stops and MDNR buildings as well as state offices such as the Secretary of State. Concealed pistol license holders are not exempted under the legislation.
However, HB 4150 goes much farther than that. House Bill 4150 eliminates an exemption in state law that allows CPL holders to carry in banks, credit unions, and anywhere with a liquor license (gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and even retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond). Any restaurant that serves alcohol would also now be off limits regardless of whether that is its primary source of income.
Even worse, because MCL 750.234d prohibits possession of a firearm on the premises of any of those places, without the exception for CPL holders, it would be illegal to even store a firearm in one's vehicle in a parking lot prior to entering the business.
These two bills would make it very difficult to exercise concealed carry on one's person or in a vehicle throughout much of the state. We need every Michigan gun owner to share their opposition to these bills with their state representative regardless of political party. You can find your state representative HERE.
|
|
MCRGO Executive Director Brady Schickinger testifies against HB 4127 in House Elections Committee last Tuesday. |
|
Democrats Restricting Opposing Testimony |
|
After MCRGO and allied state gun groups were allowed to testify against HB 4127 at the end of Tuesday's House Elections Committee meeting, no verbal opposition was allowed in Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee against Red Flag, long gun background checks, and storage mandates during three hours of testimony by the legislation's supporters. MCRGO submitted its opposition in writing. Similarly, at the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety meeting on Thursday, no opposition testimony was allowed against the Senate bills except for Nikki Goeser and John Lott from the Crime Prevention Research Center during a hearing lasting over two hours . Goeser's powerful personal testimony along with Lott's academic expertise sent a powerful message that is otherwise being silenced in the legislative debate over gun control in Michigan.
|
|
Nikki Goeser and John Lott of CPRC testify against the Senate gun control bills in Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
