Thursday, March 28, 2024

State House aims at bill to give easy access to firearm permits

November 29, 2000

The Michigan House of Representatives may make it a little easier to get that new firearm for your loved one.

As the House went into its lame duck session Tuesday, debate began on a bill that some say would allow for thousands of gun permits to be issued in the state of Michigan. Members of the Million Mom March held a candlelight vigil Monday evening to voice their opposition to the proposed bill, and people everywhere were quick to comment on the controversial issue.

“If that’s what it says, then I’m opposed to it,” said Brad Harris, a political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.

“I think we need more legislation to ensure that guns don’t get into the wrong hands.”

The bill specifically deals with concealed weapons. Michigan has about 31,600 citizens who hold unrestricted permits. Another 38,000 have them for specific purposes, such as business or hunting. Supporters of the proposed legislation hope that law-abiding citizens will have an easier time obtaining the desired firearms.

“In most cases, concealed weapons don’t lead to crime,” chemistry and computer science senior Gregory Brown said. “I don’t think that people who want more gun control legislation have crime reduction and safety on their minds.”

Many analysts consider the brief lame duck session that occurs between the November election and the new session beginning in January an unproductive period, with many legislators pushing for bills they were previously unable to pass before the election.

The process makes it impossible to know which bills will come up for a vote. Thousands of bills are proposed in a legislative session, and only a few will ever come up for a vote and actually be passed into law.

While many legislators fight to get their bill passed during the remaining time available for the session, others are preparing for the new session beginning in January.

Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic representative-elect for the district that includes MSU, has been attending orientation sessions for her upcoming term.

“I’m not surprised they’re trying to get it passed before the session’s over,” Whitmer said. Whitmer will not be able to vote on any proposed bills until the new session begins. “I’m strongly opposed to it, but I’m not sure if it will pass or not.”

Discussion

Share and discuss “State House aims at bill to give easy access to firearm permits” on social media.