02-06-2015, 07:13 AM
A gun bill that was previously vetoed twice by Michigan’s Governor Snyder is in the rounds again today. The most recent veto being only a few weeks ago, it is expected that the bill will be approved this time around, and it will change how concealed carry permits are issued in the state. The difference this time is that the part of the bill that made Governor Snyder “uncomfortable” will be removed.
The original bill was designed to speed up the concealed carry licensing process by eliminating county licensing boards. Instead, these roles would be transferred to county clerks and state police. The governor’s problem with this process is that the new legislation also would not disqualify someone who might pose as a safety risk but have no specific restrictions against guns. In other words, unless a “person of risk” is specifically restricted from guns, they can still get a gun. Gun control activists say that this would be taking away an important safety restriction.
As is to be expected, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is in the middle of it all. “While we support efforts to make the licensing process more efficient, changes cannot come at the cost of public safety,” said Linda Brundage, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. They used George Zimmerman as an example for their cause.
The legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Green, believes that gun boards rarely use such discretion, and when they do deny an applicant, it can be very simply challenged in court. He said,
“Everything that’s in that bill has been scrutinized by the state police, and they’re very comfortable with what we did. They want the law to be so restrictive that if you go along with everything in the law, you have to get [the license].”
The NRA stands behind the Michigan gun bill, saying that it would create a “more efficient, expedient and uniform” licensing procedure and briefer delays. According to the NRA, applicants having the opportunity to apply online would fix a “significant inconvenience” that people have to face just to apply, such as taking time off work and traveling.
Senator Steve Bieda (D) said he favors a tighter grip of control at the local level and is not aware that any problems exist with the current application and licensing process. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” he said. “We’re already a shall-issue [state]. What does this really do to improve the system?”
Governor Snyder had this to say about the proposed legislation:
“I didn’t feel comfortable signing these bills with the possibility that people could perceive or there could be a situation where someone that has a protective order on them could essentially go get a concealed weapon.”
He also has said that he feels there are positives to this bill, and he is willing to work with lawmakers on the concealed carry issue that applicants are becoming frustrated with. Isn’t it funny how everybody sees a problem except for Senator Bieda, who completely says the problem doesn’t exist? Where is the rock he’s been living under? Or maybe this is just another golden example of turning a blind eye to an issue, saying it doesn’t exist for the sake of a political agenda. Saying that a problem doesn’t exist — a problem that happens to be a common public issue — is not going to make you look like an intelligent leader, Senator.
The bill was introduced yesterday morning, and Senate leaders say they plan to work fast on the issue.
The original bill was designed to speed up the concealed carry licensing process by eliminating county licensing boards. Instead, these roles would be transferred to county clerks and state police. The governor’s problem with this process is that the new legislation also would not disqualify someone who might pose as a safety risk but have no specific restrictions against guns. In other words, unless a “person of risk” is specifically restricted from guns, they can still get a gun. Gun control activists say that this would be taking away an important safety restriction.
As is to be expected, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is in the middle of it all. “While we support efforts to make the licensing process more efficient, changes cannot come at the cost of public safety,” said Linda Brundage, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. They used George Zimmerman as an example for their cause.
The legislation’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Green, believes that gun boards rarely use such discretion, and when they do deny an applicant, it can be very simply challenged in court. He said,
“Everything that’s in that bill has been scrutinized by the state police, and they’re very comfortable with what we did. They want the law to be so restrictive that if you go along with everything in the law, you have to get [the license].”
The NRA stands behind the Michigan gun bill, saying that it would create a “more efficient, expedient and uniform” licensing procedure and briefer delays. According to the NRA, applicants having the opportunity to apply online would fix a “significant inconvenience” that people have to face just to apply, such as taking time off work and traveling.
Senator Steve Bieda (D) said he favors a tighter grip of control at the local level and is not aware that any problems exist with the current application and licensing process. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” he said. “We’re already a shall-issue [state]. What does this really do to improve the system?”
Governor Snyder had this to say about the proposed legislation:
“I didn’t feel comfortable signing these bills with the possibility that people could perceive or there could be a situation where someone that has a protective order on them could essentially go get a concealed weapon.”
He also has said that he feels there are positives to this bill, and he is willing to work with lawmakers on the concealed carry issue that applicants are becoming frustrated with. Isn’t it funny how everybody sees a problem except for Senator Bieda, who completely says the problem doesn’t exist? Where is the rock he’s been living under? Or maybe this is just another golden example of turning a blind eye to an issue, saying it doesn’t exist for the sake of a political agenda. Saying that a problem doesn’t exist — a problem that happens to be a common public issue — is not going to make you look like an intelligent leader, Senator.
The bill was introduced yesterday morning, and Senate leaders say they plan to work fast on the issue.
Let God lead the way!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
Give a man a fish he eats for one day, teach him to fish he eats forever!
