LANSING, MI (WTVB) – The Republican majority in Lansing is pushing through a number of gun bills this week, including measures that would do away with local gun boards, declassify pellet guns as guns, and expand who can carry guns in no-carry zones like schools, churches and hospitals. Representative Joel Johnson of Clare is sponsoring legislation that clarifies the term “Brandishing” to mean holding the gun in a threatening manner, and not just having it in a holster.
Kalamazoo Democrat Jon Hoadley says he is backing his own set of bills to tighten restrictions on gun free zones to include schools and libraries. His bills may not stand a chance against the majority sponsored bills, but he is submitting them anyway.
The bills approved by the House Wednesday would eliminate local gun boards and hand the process over to county clerks, who in turn would have State Police do background checks. Representative Jeff Irwin argues that local gun board made up of local police officials are going to have a lot more information about local individuals with criminal histories and mental issues. It now heads back to the state Senate which has approved its own version. Supporters say the measures will streamline the process for approving concealed weapons permits. Opponents don’t think that speed and efficiency are as important as accuracy and safety.