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发帖数: 3803 | 1 Bill allowing concealed guns in Michigan schools, churches heads to governor
December 14, 2012|Brandon Hubbard (231) 439-9374 - b******[email protected]
| Staff Writer
Courtesy/Wiki
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Carrying concealed weapons into schools, churches and stadiums is against
the law in Michigan, but it might not be for much longer.
Lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved Senate Bill 59 to allow
concealed weapons in several gun-free zones Thursday, as well as doing away
with county boards currently overseeing concealed pistol licensing.
"If you have pistol free zones they are actually mass murderer empowerment
zones," said Steve Dulan, attorney for the Michigan Coalition of Responsible
Gun Owners, who represents sportsman clubs throughout Michigan backing the
bill. "If you actually look at the history, even over the past 10 years in
the U.S., you find that maybe all but one mass shooting has occurred in a so
-called gun free zone."
Michigan law currently prohibits concealed weapons in schools, churches, day
cares, hospitals, dorms, casinos and any public entertainment venue able to
hold more than 2,500 people. Violators can be charged a civil infraction
with a $500 fine and six-month concealed pistol license suspension. Repeat
offenses can lead to a four-year felony, $5,000 fine and concealed pistol
license being revoked.
Under the new law schools and private establishments would be able to
voluntarily remain pistol-free zones, if desired.
Dulan says creating gun-free zones disarms private citizens to any criminals
who don't obey the laws in the first place.
"There is a complete logical fallacy that there are no guns in a gun free
zone," Dulan said. "It's as ridiculous as the drug-free school zone signs.
No one believes those either ... What you are doing in this case is
disarming law biding people."
Michigan has 351,599 concealed weapons permits issued statewide, according
to a state report dated Dec. 1. Those certified carriers would need an
additional nine hours training and 94 additional rounds at the firing range
to qualify to concealed carry in gun-free zones, the bill states.
Language in the concealed carry reform bill would eliminate county review
boards made up of representatives from the Michigan State Police, county
prosecutor's office and county sheriff's department, likely streamlining the
process.
The Michigan Sheriff's Association has been one of the largest opponents of
the bill. Northern Michigan sheriffs see the bill as a burden.
"It would make the sheriff the sole person on the board, and if I decide in
my conscience a person should not have a (concealed carry permit) for what
ever reason, then that person has the ability to appeal that in circuit
court to the point where I could be fined for not giving a (permit)," said
Charlevoix County Sheriff Don Schneider, who opposes the bill. "In no way do
I want that dumped on us. It is just not right. You are going to cause
every sheriff to say: 'You want a CCW? Fine, because I'm not going to get
sued.'"
Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin also has issues with doing away with
Concealed Weapons Licensing Boards and has contacted local lawmakers to
voice his concerns.
"I just say if it's not broke, why try to fix it?" Wallin said. "It is nice
to have other input on it. I don't want the sole responsibility, and I think
it works just fine."
Wallin believes the boards going away would create a significant amount of
new work for his office.
The bill moved early Thursday from the House Natural Resources, Tourism and
Outdoor Recreation Committee chaired by state Rep. Frank Foster, R-Petoskey,
before coming to the full floor for a vote.
"This changes the (concealed pistol license) permit process to remove layers
of unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape, and since it is assigning new
responsibilities, I wanted to make sure our discussion included all the
stakeholders so they were on board," Foster said in a statement. "As
committee chairman, I think we conducted a very transparent and thorough
legislative process and took input from all ranges of opinions."
Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville , primary sponsor for SB 59, commended Foster
for his role in getting the legislation passed.
"Rep. Foster's courage and leadership on behalf of Michigan's law-abiding
gun owners was key to advancing SB 59, the most fundamental CPL reform in
Michigan history," Green said.
Heading into a final marathon lame duck session Thursday night, the House
passed the bill 68-41 and the Senate concurred 27-11, mostly along party
lines.
Detractors have amassed against expanding concealed weapons into gun-free
zones throughout the legislative process.
Pastor Sherri McGuffin at Cross of Christ Lutheran in Petoskey says if SB
59 is made law, she believes it could cause an "uncomfortable" situation for
her members.
"I don't have anything against guns, we use them for hunting and for sport,
but when they are used for maliciousness, to wield power or an emotion, we
have a problem," McGuffin said.
Because people often seek out churches in times of emotional distress and
need, she said, those are often times when people should not have a firearm.
"We practice no hitting, no yelling. It's a place of sanctuary," McGuffin
said about her church.
McGuffin said in churches and other places where weapons have been used or
brandished "that's no longer a sanctuary."
That sentiment has been echoed across the state. More than 600 churches have
signed onto a resolution authored at the Detroit Annual Conference of the
United Methodist Church calling for the bill to fail.
School officials have also responded in opposition.
"I'm opposed to it because it doesn't settle with me that we would have
people in schools with concealed guns," John Scholten, Petoskey Public
Schools superintendent.
The Michigan Association of School Administrators opposes the legislation
over safety concerns.
"We expel our students for having any type of weapon, and can find no good
reason to open school property to others who bring weapons on campus," said
Linda Wacyk, spokesperson for the MASA. "We prohibit weapons to keep our
students and staff members safe; that prohibition should extend to adults
who visit as well."
Don Wotruba, deputy director for the Michigan Association of School Boards,
testified against legislation regarding concerns he has about potential
accidents relating to more weapons being in schools.
"More guns in the proximity of kids is not about bad use, it's about
potential accidents," he says.
"I don't have any issue with a person that is properly trained or that they
are going to break the law," Wotruba said. "I worry about somebody breaking
up a fight and there is a gun on somebody's waist being taken by a kid. I
worry about a teacher putting a gun in their purse -- which is legal -- and
puts in a locked desk drawer then goes to lunch, but a student somehow gets
it. Those are what concern me ...
"It's a potential risk without a real reason as to why we should free this
up," he said.
The bill now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder to veto or sign it into law. |
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