Michigan: CPL Reform Bill Headed to Governor Snyder, Air Gun Reclassification Package to Senate

Thanks to your active involvement, Senate Bill 34 and Senate Bill 35 have been passed by the Michigan Legislature, and, once enrolled by the Secretary of the Senate, will soon be transmitted to Governor Rick Snyder (R) for his signature.  Both SB 34 and SB 35 passed in the Michigan House of Representatives yesterday by an overwhelming, bipartisan 76 to 34 and 81 to 29 vote, after passing in the Senate on February 3 by a 28 to 9 vote. 

SB 34 and SB 35 would eliminate county concealed pistol licensing boards, and are replicas of last session’s Senate Bill 789 and Senate Bill 790, which unfortunately fell victim to misinformation spread by out-of-state gun control organizations resulting in a last-minute veto by Governor Snyder.  

These bills seek to create a more efficient, expedient and uniform concealed pistol licensing process for all statutorily eligible Michiganders.  SB 34 accomplishes this goal by eliminating county concealed pistol licensing boards as well as the discretionary licensing authority currently held by those boards.  With the elimination of the county licensing boards, county clerks would administer the concealed weapon licensing process.  Background checks that are statutorily required to obtain a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) would be conducted by the Michigan State Police (MSP).  However, the MSP would not retain the discretionary authority currently held by the county licensing boards since SB 34 mandates that all persons who statutorily qualify for a CPL (i.e. not prohibited under 28.425b and satisfy all financial and submission obligations) would receive a license.

SB 34 also provides enhanced avenues for redressing licensing delays.  Under SB 34, the county clerks and MSP have 45 days—beginning on the date fingerprints are taken—to either issue a CPL or provide a notice of disqualification.  If the licensing authority fails to comply with the 45-day requirement, the individual’s fingerprint receipt and driver’s license will serve as a temporary license.  For renewals, the expired license will serve as the temporary license.  

In an effort to further simplify the licensing process, SB 34 includes a mandate requiring the creation of an online renewal application process by 2018.  This important reform will remedy the significant inconvenience currently experienced by individuals who often must take time off of work or other daily duties to wait in a line and file an in-person application with the county clerk.  Other reforms that were carried over include renewal by mail for active-duty members of the military who are stationed outside of the state.

Please contact Governor Snyder today and politely urge him to sign both SB 34 and SB 35 into law.

Also today, the NRA-backed bills known as the “Air Gun Reclassification Package” passed out of the Michigan House of Representatives and have been transmitted to the Senate, where they are expected to be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

This important legislative package, comprised of House Bills 4151, 4152, 4153, 4154, 4155 and 4156, seeks to achieve pragmatic and much-needed reform by redefining the term “firearm” in the Michigan Code to exclude devices that propel a projectile by gas, spring or air.  The goal of this package is to relieve Michiganders, and those seeking to engage in interstate commerce with Michigan residents, from outdated and unduly burdensome restraints on the transfer, purchase and possession of most air guns.

Under current law, a vast majority of air guns—including all pellet guns and air soft guns—qualify as firearms.  As a result, the same restrictions that apply to the transfer, purchase and possession of firearms also are imposed on air guns; including licensing and registration.  Michigan is one of only four states that classifies most air guns as firearms.

Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and encourage them to vote in support of HB 4151, 4152, 4153, 4154, 4155 and 4156 when they come before them.

Please also contact your state Representative and thank him or her for their support for these measures.