Tagged: concealed pistol

Governor Rick Snyder must decide whether to approve or veto legislation that would allow concealed pistols in churches, day care centers, and public schools.

The governor said the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings will play a role in his thinking.         

The legislation would allow enhanced concealed pistol privileges for license holders who get additional training and range practice.

The governor faces growing pressure on the bills from both sides on the question of gun control.      

The governor said on Detroit Public Television the Connecticut school killings are on his mind as he ponders his decision.

“It does impact—you can’t have it not impact you and my thoughts and prayers go with everyone in Connecticut. I know that we all share that view,” Snyder said.

But the governor said he has not made up his mind yet. His administration was officially neutral on the gun bills when they were voted on by the Legislature.

He will have 14 days to decide once the bills are formally presented to him.

The school shooting in Connecticut has prompted calls for Governor Rick Snyder to veto legislation that would allow concealed guns in public schools, churches, and day care centers.

Those are currently “no-carry” zones.

The legislation would limit the right only to people with concealed pistol licenses and extended training.

Jessica Tramontana is with the group Progress Michigan. She said those controls are not enough.

“Even if people have to go through additional hoops to verify that they know how to use this gun and supposedly do it safely, I don’t think how any child or any person could be better served by a gun in a school,” Tramontana said.

Michigan's chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics joined gun control advocates in urging Mr. Snyder to veto the bill. In a letter today, the group's president, Lia Gaggino, wrote:

“As physicians, adults and those responsible for the care and protection of innocent children we implore Governor Snyder to veto this dangerous, unnecessary legislation."

Gun rights advocates say concealed pistol holders can help keep the public safe by stopping violent situations before police are called to the scene. Connecticut law does not allow firearms on school property.

Governor Snyder’s administration was officially neutral on the Michigan legislation. His office will only say he’s carefully looking at the bills.

The state House is considering a bill that would remove a state background check requirement for concealed pistol permits.

Supporters say a federal background check is sufficient.

That worries a number of Michigan mayors and law enforcement agencies.

Mark Glaze is director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

He said Michigan's gun permit procedure should not be changed.

“The state has access to many more federal criminal records and other information that are prohibiting factors for owning a gun, so if you take away the state system, you actually take away a significant amount of information about some people who aren't entitled to have a gun,” said Glaze.

Glaze said that includes people who have felony records, are domestic abusers or who are seriously mentally ill.

The bill would put county sheriffs in control of the permit process, rather than county boards.

Bill would ease restrictions for concealed pistol permits

"The state House is considering a bill that would remove a state background check requirement for  concealed pistol permits. The bill would eliminate state background checks for people who want to carry concealed pistols.  The bill would also eliminate a data base of Michigan's pistol owners, which State Police say is used to help solve crimes. If the bill passes, it would also put county sheriffs in control of the permit process, rather than county boards," Rina Miller reports.

Legislation would allow insurance companies to deny medical marijuana coverage

"Bills in the state House would let insurance companies deny coverage for medical marijuana. Employers could also refuse to reimburse medical marijuana expenses through workers compensation. Opponents of the bills say the policy would keep some patients from receiving proper and legal medical treatment. But some medical marijuana advocates support the measures. They say when Michigan voters approved the drug, they never meant to force insurers to cover it. The state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the bills in May," Jake Neher reports.

Bill would allow medical personnel to refuse care on religious grounds

"A bill before the state senate would allow medical personnel to refuse care based on their religious beliefs. The bill would also protect them against civil, criminal, and administrative liability. However, the bill would require medical personnel to provide medical care in an emergency, regardless of a conflict with their religious beliefs," Chris Zollars reports.

A Michigan state senator wants to allow people with concealed carry permits to take their weapons into churches, bars and other ‘gun-free zones’.

A decade ago state lawmakers banned gun owners from taking their weapons into certain public places out of fear of gunplay. But State Senator Mike Green of Mayville says experience has shown those fears were unwarranted, since he believes people have been carrying in ‘gun-free zones’ already without incident. 

It was an obstacle ten years ago because people feared, a good, honest, law-abiding citizen would use it in a way that would hurt or harm other people.  But the fact is, in 11 years there’s not been hardly anything that happened like that. 

Green’s legislation would also put the Secretary of State’s office in charge of processing concealed carry permit applications. He says local gun boards are not completing background checks on the applicants fast enough.