Michigan gun laws

Bolger says state lawmakers need to 'step back' and 'take a breath' on gun debate

Jake Neher — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:46:27 +0000

State House Speaker Jase Bolger says lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should not overreact when it comes to the debate over gun control.

Lawmakers have already introduced several gun-related bills since their new session started this month.

Many are reactions to recent massacres and the federal gun control proposals that followed.

Bolger said he hopes discussions about guns will be civil as the bills make their way through committee.

Clergy call on state lawmakers to address gun violence

Jake Neher — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:41:03 +0000

A group of Michigan clergy wants state lawmakers to drop a number of pro-gun bills.

Faith leaders held a prayer service today at the state Capitol to protest the measures. Clergy members sang hymns as they marched to the Capitol.

Each held a yellow card with the name of a child from their community killed by gun violence.

Governor Snyder not convinced gun laws an efficient use of state lawmakers’ time

Lindsey Smith — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 04:14:12 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder is weighing in on the debate over guns laws going on at the state Capitol. There are a number of new bills related to guns pending. Snyder was asked if he supports any of the proposed changes at events in Grand Rapids Friday.

Not to downplay the importance of gun rights or guns laws, but Governor Snyder just doesn’t think guns in general have a big part in his plan to “reinvent Michigan.” He says lawmakers in Lansing should let the debate over gun control run its course at the federal level first.

“In the meantime we could get a lot done on jobs, infrastructure, education; a lot of important topics. So I would prefer we stay on those topics,” Snyder said.

Snyder says he would consider improvements to the state's mental health system before focusing on changes to its gun laws.

Michigan gun law trifecta

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:54:00 +0000

This week, host Jenn White takes a look at Michigan politics with Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, and Susan Demas, political analyst for Michigan Information and Research Service.

Yesterday, a state senate panel sent three gun related bills to the senate floor. The first would prohibit federal regulation of firearms and ammunition manufactured in Michigan, while the second would exempt certain information about gun owners and their weapons from Freedom of Information requests. The third bill would make state laws regarding gun dealers consistent with federal regulations.

Although Susan Demas is unsure as to how the bills, which supersede federal regulations would work, she does expect a backlash in court proceedings, if Governor Snyder signs these controversial bills.

"I'm sure we would see a court challenge if Governor Snyder were to receive these bills and sign them. The Senate today did pass the 'low-hanging fruit bill,' the one which seeks to alter language a little bit to keep us in line with the Fed. That's pretty uncontroversial. But this 'Firearms Freedom Act' as it's being called, that's very controversial," Demas said.

State Senate passes firearms dealer bill

Jake Neher — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:58:59 +0000

The first bill passed this year by the Michigan Senate would change the state’s definition of a “federally-licensed firearms dealer”.

Supporters of the measure say it’s just a technical fix to make state law consistent with federal regulations.

The bill passed easily Thursday with bi-partisan support. But a handful of Democrats voted against it.

State Senator Rebekah Warren said it’s a way to exempt more gun dealers from state regulations.