Michigan: Anti-Gun Lawmakers Spend Summer Recess Plotting Against Your Firearm Rights

Please contact members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees and Urge Them to Oppose Upcoming Anti-Gun Bills!

Last week, the Michigan Legislature returned to regular session following its summer recess.  While many legislators spent their time away from Lansing connecting with constituents and contemplating the introduction of legislative measures intended to better serve the needs of Michiganders, others were plotting to introduce stale—and repeatedly defeated—anti-gun legislation.  For several lawmakers, it seems dusting off their old Bloomberg talking points to attack your firearm rights has become a summer hobby.

Senate Resolution 89, a resolution to commemorate September 9, 2015, as Standing for Peace and Justice Day, lists a litany of outdated, disproved or misleading statistics and anecdotes in an effort to urge Congress to pass sweeping firearm restrictions under the guise of ending gun violence.  Among the many reforms proposed by SR 89 are an “assault weapons and high-capacity magazine ban” and several reforms that, if enacted, would result in a de facto federal firearm registration scheme.  It seems that Bloomberg’s anti-gun micro-movement cannot comprehend that restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners does not correlate to stopping illegal gun violence.

Senate Bills 478, 479, and 480 have recently been introduced.  These bills, which mirror House Bills 4590, 4591, and 4592, would require non-exempt, law-abiding gun owners to acquire a government-issued permit to purchase and possess any firearm, now including long guns.  These bills impose a substantial burden on the possession or lawful transfer of sporting firearms and create nonsensical repercussions for hunters.

For example, if passed, these bills would effectively prohibit temporary transfers of shotguns and rifles for hunting purposes—even between family members.  The many reasons one might borrow a firearm for hunting purposes, such as being new to hunting and wanting to try it out before purchasing a firearm or having a riflescope break, would subject you to criminal penalties.  This type of misguided legislation is what you would expect from individuals who know nothing about the issues they attempt to legislate.

Senate Bills 478, 479, and 480 have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.  House Bills 4590, 4592, and 4592 have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and House Judiciary Committee and urge them to oppose these unapologetically anti-gun bills.