Yesterday, House Bills 5324, 5325, 5326, 5327 and 5328 were introduced in the Michigan Legislature. Collectively known as the “Firearms Records Confidentiality Package,” these bills seek to clarify current laws regarding the regulation and licensing of the selling, purchasing, possessing and carrying of certain firearms. Specifically, these bills aim to rework the current regulations regarding how firearms records are collected, used and accessed. Most importantly, they reiterate that information contained in a firearms record is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, except when a peace officer has probable cause to believe that the firearm was used in the commission of a crime, that the individual whose record is being accessed is a threat to himself, herself or other individuals, or when the safety of the peace officer is at issue. The Firearms Records Confidentiality Package is an important step forward in Lansing in keeping the private information of firearms owners private and confidential.
The Firearms Records Confidentiality Package has been referred to the state House Judiciary Committee and is expected to be heard next Thursday, February 20. Using the contact information provided below, please call and e-mail members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY and encourage them to protect the privacy of responsible gun owners and sportsmen. Urge them to SUPPORT HB 5324, HB 5325, HB 5326, HB 5327 and HB 5328.
House Judiciary Committee:
Representative Kevin Cotter (R-99), Chairman
(517) 373-1789
KevinCotter@house.mi.gov
Representative Klint Kesto (R-39), Majority Vice-Chairman
(517) 373-1799
KlintKesto@house.mi.gov
Representative Phil Cavanagh (D-10), Minority Vice-Chairman
(517) 373-0857
PhilCavanagh@house.mi.gov
Representative Kurt Heise (R-20)
(517) 373-3816
KurtHeise@house.mi.gov
Representative Joel Johnson (R-97)
(517) 373-8962
JoelJohnson@house.mi.gov
Representative Andrea LaFontaine (R-32)
(517) 373-8931
AndreaLaFontaine@house.mi.gov
Representative Tom Leonard (R-93)
(517) 373-1778
TomLeonard@house.mi.gov
Representative Martin Howrylak (R-41)
(517) 373-1783
MartinHowrylak@house.mi.gov
Representative Ellen Lipton (D-27)
(517) 373-0478
EllenLipton@house.mi.gov
Representative Jeff Irwin (D-53)
(517) 373-2577
JeffIrwin@house.mi.gov
Representative Paul Clemente (D-14)
(517) 373-0140
PaulClemente@house.mi.gov
