Michigan Update: Your Help Still Needed to Repeal Handgun Registration
As previously reported here by the NRA-ILA, the Michigan State Police are still trying to defeat House Bill 5225, legislation that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements in Michigan. This important legislation is currently pending consideration by the state Senate, so the Senate leadership needs to hear from gun owners across Michigan today! This bill has faced increased opposition by the MSP.
The Michigan State Police, never friendly to pro-gun reforms (including the current state Right-to-Carry law) has even proposed a number of crippling amendments to HB 5225 that would perpetuate Michigan’s antiquated registration system in the event that they are unable to stop its passage. The next legislative session is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 17, for only one day.
Please contact your state Senator and Governor Rick Snyder TODAY and again before that date! Respectfully urge them to reject any hostile amendments to HB 5225, and to end Michigan’s costly and unnecessary gun registration scheme as well as the onerous handgun purchase permit process.
The MSP has made its position clear and wants to maintain records of handguns purchased legally by law-abiding citizens in Michigan. In essence, the MSP wants to have easy access to a list of guns owned by honest people like YOU. The MSP continually ignores the fact that criminals do not buy guns at retail stores and criminals do not register their firearms. This gun control scheme has failed to prevent the violence in Detroit and Flint, two of top five most violent cities in America. Guns misused in a crime can be and are traced in the forty states without such a permit-to-purchase/registration requirement. In fact, last year alone over 5,000 firearms recovered in Michigan were run through the federal trace system.
HB 5225, introduced by state Representative Paul Opsommer (R-93), would abolish the bureaucratic “permit-to-purchase” for handguns. This system became obsolete when the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) took effect in 1998. Under the current state system, gun buyers must apply with their local law enforcement agency before being authorized to buy a handgun. This “permit” is valid for only one gun and it expires after ten days. Since 1998, federal law has required a national criminal records check for the purchase of any firearm from any licensed gun dealer in every state. Accordingly, the state-required “permit” is duplicative, wasteful and antiquated. This legislative package includes two companion bills House Bill 5498, sponsored by state Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-18), and House Bill 5499, sponsored by state Representative Ray Franz (R-101).
In June, this package of bills passed in the Michigan House of Representatives by an overwhelming 74 to 36 vote. It also passed in the Senate Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration by the state Senate. All indications are that HB 5225 enjoys supermajority support in the Senate. There is no doubt that the state Senate will pass HB 5225 by a wide margin when they vote on it. However, Michigan’s first-term Governor has asked leaders in the Senate to hold this bill, thus delaying and preventing critical and final action on this important Second Amendment legislation. Because the Michigan Legislature has few remaining working days before the election, this stall tactic will almost guarantee the bill’s demise.
It is extremely urgent that you contact your state Senator and especially Governor Rick Snyder today and respectfully urge them to reject any hostile amendments and end Michigan’s costly and unnecessary gun registration scheme as well as the onerous handgun purchase permit process. This is an historic opportunity to repeal longstanding gun control that only the most restrictive, anti-gun states currently have. Please act TODAY to ensure that Governor Snyder does not ignore Michigan gun owners.
In 2010, gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder did not answer NRA’s state candidate questionnaire, so his position on this vital legislation is unknown.
