Michigan: Time Running Out to Repeal State Handgun Registration and Permit System

The Michigan Legislature returned yesterday for the last few weeks of their 2012 legislative session with several pro-gun bills still pending consideration.  House Bill 5225 and its companion bills, legislation that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements in Michigan, have been languishing in the state Senate for months, so your state Senator and the Senate leadership need to hear from gun owners across Michigan today!  Since the state House passed HB 5225 back in June, the Michigan Senate is the only remaining obstacle to getting this vital bill to the Governor.

HB 5225 has faced increased opposition by the Michigan State Police (MSP).  MSP, never friendly to pro-gun reforms (including the current state Right-to-Carry law), has even proposed a number of crippling amendments to HB 5225 that would perpetuate Michigan’s antiquated registration system in the event that they are unable to stop its passage.  Please contact your state Senator and Governor Rick Snyder TODAY and tell them to stop holding up this critical reform and act soon to protect your gun rights.  Respectfully urge them to reject any hostile amendments to HB 5225, and to end Michigan's costly and unnecessary gun registration scheme as well as the onerous handgun purchase permit process.

The MSP has made its position clear and insists on maintaining records of handguns purchased legally by law-abiding citizens in Michigan.  In essence, the MSP wants to have easy access to a list of guns owned by honest people like YOU.  The MSP continually ignores the fact that criminals do not buy guns at retail stores and criminals do not register their firearms.  This gun control scheme has failed to prevent the violence in Detroit and Flint, two of the top five most violent cities in America.  Guns misused in a crime can be and are traced in the forty states without such a permit-to-purchase/registration requirement.  In fact, last year alone over 5,000 firearms recovered in Michigan were run through the federal trace system.

HB 5225, introduced by state Representative Paul Opsommer (R-93), would abolish the bureaucratic “permit-to-purchase” for handguns.  This system became obsolete when the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) took effect in 1998.  Under the current state system, gun buyers must apply with their local law enforcement agency before being authorized to buy a handgun.  This “permit” is valid for only one gun and it expires after ten days.  Since 1998, federal law has required a national criminal records check for the purchase of any firearm from any licensed gun dealer in every state.   Accordingly, the state-required "permit" is duplicative, wasteful and antiquated.  This legislative package includes two companion bills House Bill 5498, sponsored by state Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-18), and House Bill 5499, sponsored by state Representative Ray Franz (R-101).

In June, this package of bills passed in the Michigan House of Representatives by an overwhelming 74 to 36 vote.  It also passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration by the state Senate.  All indications are that HB 5225 enjoys supermajority support in the Senate.  There is no doubt that the state Senate will pass HB 5225 by a wide margin when they vote on it.  However, Michigan's first-term Governor has asked Senate leaders to hold this bill, thus delaying and preventing critical final action on this important Second Amendment legislation.  Because the Michigan Legislature has few remaining working days before the end of this year, this stall tactic will almost guarantee the bill's demise.

It is extremely urgent that you contact your state Senator and especially Governor Rick Snyder today and respectfully urge them to end Michigan's costly and unnecessary gun registration scheme as well as the onerous handgun purchase permit process.  This is an historic opportunity to repeal longstanding gun control that only the most restrictive anti-gun states currently have.  Please act TODAY to ensure that Governor Snyder does not ignore Michigan gun owners.  It is now or never.

In 2010, gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder did not answer the NRA's state candidate questionnaire, so his position on this vital legislation is unknown.

To find your state Senator please click here.

Governor Rick Snyder (517) 373-3400 (517) 335-7858                                                                                                    To e-mail Governor Snyder, please click here.