Category: Self Defense

Michigan Constitutional Carry Wins Committee Approval

This past Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee approved constitutional concealed carry legislation on a party line vote of 6-4. The bills now go to the full House of Representatives for consideration. Timing on a vote is unpredictable.
One important change was made in committee. Both concealed pistol license holders and people carrying without a license would be required to disclose “upon request” of a peace officer. This would eliminate the current requirement for CPL holders to provide immediate disclosure but adds a disclosure requirement for carry without a license. The change was made at the request of the Michigan State Police.
A Democratic amendment to disqualify people from constitutional concealed carry if they would not qualify for a concealed pistol license was defeated due to the burden it would impose on law enforcement. Also defeated was a Democratic amendment to impose a mandatory training requirement for constitutional carry as it would be very difficult to enforce without a license.
CPL holders would continue to enjoy the additional benefits not provided to unlicensed individuals. It is our expectation that most CPL holders would wish to retain and renew their concealed pistol licenses once the legislation becomes law rather than engaging in unlicensed carry. The additional benefits a CPL provides would likely result in an increase in the number of people seeking training and a license in the future as interest in concealed carry increases. This is the result that has been experienced in other states that have adopted constitutional carry. Counterintuitively, not mandating training results in more people pursuing it.
It is time to contact your state representative on these bills.  You can find your state representative HERE. Please ask them to support House Bills 4416-4419.
Self Defense

National Rifle Association Launches NRA Carry Guard

ATLANTA – On Monday, the National Rifle Association of America announced the launch of NRA Carry Guard, a program created to provide America’s most comprehensive insurance and legal coverage, as well as best-in-class training for those who carry a gun. NRA Carry Guard members can access many great benefits including legal assistance and the ability to select their own counsel, as well as immediate access as needed to supplementary payments for bail, legal retainer fees, compensation while in court and more. NRA Carry Guard is the only membership program for self-defense insurance and training developed and supported by the National Rifle Association, representing the next evolution in freedom’s defense from the most powerful civil rights organization in American history. Read more

Self Defense

MCRGO’s 2017-2018 Legislative Agenda

 
Following the passage of concealed pistol reform sponsored by Sen. Mike Green (R-Mayville) and spearheaded by MCRGO in early 2015, the past two years have been relatively quiet. That is about the change with some major changes on the agenda for this legislative session. Note that the legislative process is very unpredictable and it is impossible to provide an accurate prediction on when or if these bills will pass and be signed into law. Similarly, Snyder, like most governors, often does not indicate in advance whether he will sign or veto legislation.
Constitutional Concealed Carry:  This is the big goal for many gun owners. Two constitutional concealed carry packages have been introduced in the House so far and a third is expected. The legislation would eliminate the need to have a license to carry concealed in Michigan while retaining Michigan’s existing CPL for reciprocity and other benefits. A growing number of states are adopting constitutional concealed carry and seeing positive results including a decrease in crime and an increase in people taking non-mandatory training.
Pistol Free Zones:  Legislation is expected to be introduced shortly in the Senate which would repeal many of Michigan’s pistol free zones.
Registration:  Of all the major firearms bills on the horizon, upcoming House legislation to eliminate mandatory pistol registration has the best prospects. Michigan is one of only a handful of states that requires pistol registration. Michigan’s existing system is in disarray.
Young Adult Concealed Carry:  Legislation separate from constitutional concealed carry will be introduced shortly in the House which would allow 18-20 year olds to obtain a provisional concealed pistol license.  Because of the provisional nature of the license, it would not impact reciprocity agreements with other states.
Preemption Enforcement:  While a difficult battle is expected with lobbyists representing local government interests, MCRGO supports a re-introduction of legislation from last session which would strengthen the enforcement of preemption.
Online CPL Renewal:  Concealed pistol reform includes a requirement that the Michigan State Police offer on-line renewal of concealed pistol licenses by 2018.  Technical legislation which would allow this to happen has nearly completed its journey through the legislative process and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Snyder later this spring.

 
Firearms, Self Defense

Civil Rights Groups Threaten Philadelphia, Other Cities With 2A Litigation over Tasers, Electronic Arms

SACRAMENTO, CA — Yesterday, attorneys for civil rights advocacy organizations Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF) sent legal letters to the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tacoma, Washington; and Wilmington, Delaware demanding that they repeal their respective bans on electronic arms or face federal Second Amendment litigation. Last week, a demand was sent to the City of Westminster, Maryland, regarding its ban.

The Philadelphia Code § 10-825 states that no “person shall own, use, possess, sell or otherwise transfer any ‘stun gun’,” making a violation of the law subject to a fine of up to $300 “and/or imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days.”

“The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms, not only the right to keep and bear firearms,” explained attorney Stephen D. Stamboulieh in the letters. Read more

Self Defense

Michigan Constitutional Concealed Carry Bills Introduced

The text for House Bill 4416, the main bill in the constitutional concealed carry package introduced this past week in the Michigan House of Representatives can be found HERE. The bill is straightforward. It simply repeals the requirement to have a license to carry concealed in Michigan. It does not address pistol free zones or registration. We anticipate future bills on those issues this legislative session.

Article 1, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution states that “Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.” Currently that constitutional right only protects open carry. A license is required in Michigan to carry concealed. HB 4416 would treat concealed carry the same way open carry is today. Michigan Concealed Pistol Licenses would still be available for those who want them for other reasons such as out-of-state carry with reciprocity, etc.
While MCRGO’s board has yet to take a position on these brand new bills, the board has voted to support the concept of constitutional concealed carry. Despite the “blood in the streets” fears, there is no evidence in states that have already adopted constitutional concealed carry that there has been an increase in the number of unjustified shootings as a percentage of the total number of people carrying outside the home. By helping to increase the number of people carrying legally for self defense, constitutional concealed carry could contribute to fewer violent crimes in our state. Read more
Self Defense

National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Introduced in Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has introduced the NSSF-supported Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (S.446), a companion to the House of Representatives bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.). The proposed legislation, with 30 co-sponsors, would compel states to recognize concealed carry permits issued from other states that have concealed carry laws within their own borders – much in the same way a driver’s license is recognized. The bill aims to eliminate the confusion of varying state-by-state laws and provide protection for Second Amendment rights for permit holders.

“This bill strengthens both the constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and the power of states to implement laws best-suited for the folks who live there,” Sen. Cornyn said. “This legislation is an important affirmation of our Second Amendment rights and has been a top priority of law-abiding gun owners in Texas for a long time.” Read more

Firearms, Gun Control, Self Defense

CGF Seeks Review by Full 9th Circuit Court in Waiting Period Case

SAN FRANCISCO ­­­­­­ – Today, attorneys for The Calguns Foundation (CGF), Second Amendment Foundation, and two individual plaintiffs filed a petition with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking en banc (full-court) review of a wrongly-decided opinion that overturned the trial court’s judgment that California’s Waiting Period Laws violate the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

CGF Executive Director Brandon Combs, who is also an individual plaintiff in the case, issued the following statement:

In December, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals bizarrely ruled that even a person legally carrying a concealed handgun as he buys another gun at retail needs to be ‘cooled off’ for another 10 days before exercising his Second Amendment rights and taking possession of a constitutionally-protected firearm.

We believe that the Ninth Circuit’s panel opinion was wrong as a matter of law. Not only did the panel incorrectly decide the Second Amendment issues in favor of the State of California, but in doing so it ignored important legal rules that govern the review of a lower court’s judgment after a trial. Read more

Firearms, Self Defense

What to do if You Must Use a Firearm in Self Defense

 From:  MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS
Celebrating Twenty Years of
“Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation” – 1996 – 2016
MCRGO E’News
Frequently Asked Question
 
Occasionally we like to review what responsible gun owners should do in a self-defense situation. Most of us already know this. It is offered for the benefit of our new newsletter subscribers.
Q: What should I do if I ever need to use my gun in self-defense?
A: You should first be certain that the threat is removed before you lower your guard. Then, call 911 and say that there has been a shooting. Describe the immediate need for ambulance and police (and fire department if applicable). Tell the 911 operator where you are, how many people are wounded etc. Do not have your gun in your hand Read more
Self Defense

773 Teachers and Staff Members Get “Armed” Active Killer Training


773 Teachers and Staff Members Get “Armed” Active Killer TrainingWhen an active killer targets a school, the standard protocol is to wait for law enforcement to arrive on the scene to stop the violence.

In 2013, that protocol started to change for many schools with the introduction of the FASTER Saves Lives program, which provides lethal force training and medical response to teachers and staff members.

Now after four years, FASTER Saves Lives has trained 773 school teachers and staff members from 194 districts in 8 states. This includes teachers and staff in 74 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Read more

Self Defense

School Preemption:  Michigan Court of Appeals Overturns Clio Decision

This past week, the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned a favorable circuit court decision in Herman vs. Clio and upheld an unfavorable circuit court decision in MGO vs. Ann Arbor.

The court ruled in summary, “The issue presented is whether state law preempts Clio Area School District policies banning the possession of firearms in schools and at school-sponsored events. We hold that it does not, and reverse the judgment of the circuit court.”
In short, the decision reverses a long-held understanding that concealed pistol license holders enjoy an exception to carry openly in public schools and that public schools are local units of government that are preempted from enacting their own firearms rules.
The liberal justices on the three person Court of Appeals were hostile to gun owners in questioning and issued their judgement in short order.  That judgement is being appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court where gun owners should get a friendlier reception due to a 5-2 conservative majority.  The MCRGO Legal Foundation is expected to participate in the appeal.
You can read the full decision here .
Firearms, Self Defense
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