"Michigan: Time Running Out to Repeal State Handgun Registration and Permit System "

[ezkl2230]

Media on the attack to prevent Repeal State Handgun Registration and Permit System "

From the NRA-ILA today:

The Michigan Legislature returned yesterday for the last few weeks of their 2012 legislative session with several pro-gun bills still pending consideration. House Bill 5225 and its companion bills, legislation that would eliminate the state handgun “permit-to-purchase” and registration requirements in Michigan, have been languishing in the state Senate for months, so your state Senator and the Senate leadership need to hear from gun owners across Michigan today! Since the state House passed HB 5225 back in June, the Michigan Senate is the only remaining obstacle to getting this vital bill to the Governor.

HB 5225 has faced increased opposition by the Michigan State Police (MSP). MSP, 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. Please contact your state Senator and Governor Rick Snyder TODAY and tell them to stop holding up this critical reform and act soon to protect your gun rights. 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 insists on maintaining 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 the 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 Committeeand 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 Senate leaders to hold this bill, thus delaying and preventing critical final action on this important Second Amendment legislation. Because the Michigan Legislature has few remaining working days before the end of this year, 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 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. It is now or never.

In 2010, gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder did not answer the NRA's state candidate questionnaire, so his position on this vital legislation is unknown.

Handgun sales: Michigan mayors, police oppose ending license requirement | MLive.com

****ADDED 12/3/12****

A number of mayors, the MSP, and media outlets are turning up the heat to try to prevent HB 5225 from being passed in Michigan. Handgun sales: Michigan mayors, police oppose ending license requirement | MLive.com

A VOTE COULD TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK!!!

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE CONTACT OUR LEGISLATORS IN THE MICHIGAN STATE SENATE TO URGE THEM TO HOLD FAST, TO VOTE FOR THIS PACKAGE OF BILLS AS IT STANDS NOW!

Be sure to copy Sen. Majority Leader Richardville and Gov. Snyder on any communication you have with the senator from your home district so that they can see for themselves how much support this package of bills has. This package of bills was passed in the State House by a 2 to 1 margin, and was unanimously passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. It appears to have enough votes to override a possible governor's veto.

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR ASAP!!!

 

[ezkl2230]

****update****

The State Senate surprised us by passing SB 59, which allows concealed carry in gun free zones with additional training, yesterday (11/29/12).

It is now being sent to the House for their consideration, but House Speaker Jase Bolger put House Republicans on notice several months ago that he expects them to take an extended period of time considering it because the issue is "too emotional." It is very unlikely that it will be passed in the House before the end of the legislative year, as Bolger promised that there would be no fast-tracking of the bill - and he is the one who schedules bills for votes.

There are some notable changes in the final bill.

First, gun boards will be eliminated, and their authority transferred to the Sheriff.

Second, the CPL applications will have a check box to indicate that the applicant is seeking an exemption from gun free zones.

Third, $41 of each application fee will be deposited in a county CPL fund; the rest goes to the MSP to cover costs associated with background checks and the fingerprint comparison report from the FBI.

Fourth, after May 1, 2013, basic CPL classes will require the expenditure of at least 98 rounds instead of 30.

Fifth, application for a gun free zone exemption will require 8 additional hours of training and the expenditure of an additional 94 rounds.

Sixth, a current CPL holder can apply for an exemption to pistol free zones before the expiration of their CPL for $20; no additional fee is required if the request for exemption is made at the time of application or renewal.

Seventh, teeth are added to this bill to insure compliance by the licensing authority with state law. We have had issues with rogue gun boards dragging out the application process as long as 6 months. Under SB 59, if a license is not issued within 45 days of application (not 45 days after receipt of fingerprint comparison report from the FBI) and there are no indicators that the applicant might otherwise be ineligible to receive a CPL, the county's portion of the fee that is deposited to the county CPL fund must be refunded to the applicant and a temporary CPL must be issued which is good for 180 days or until denial or issuance of a permanent CPL.

Eighth, as a compromise to get Gov. Snyder's signature, SB 59 does away with open carry in a pistol free zone unless you first get written permission from the owner of the property. The thinking is that there are so few in Michigan who carry openly, and the goal is to increase the number of people who will be able to carry in a PFZ - the majority of whom will do so concealed.

 

[gunnerbob]

Well, I suppose it's a step in the right direction....

 

[Woody1960]

Question, If the do away with the purchase permits for non CPL holders. What's to stop bad guys from buying guns this way? I am sure it would be a lot cheaper for them than buying the way they do it now.

 

[ezkl2230]

Question, If the do away with the purchase permits for non CPL holders. What's to stop bad guys from buying guns this way? I am sure it would be a lot cheaper for them than buying the way they do it now.

Doing away with our archaic (and redundant) purchase permit system, but defaulting to the more efficient - and far less expensive - federal NICS system as is required for long gun purchases. Basically, under the new system, long gun and handgun purchases will be treated exactly the same way. Background checks will still be run before every purchase.

 

[Woody1960]

But what about person to person sales? Gun shows, parking lo,t etc...?

 

[Icemanii]

But what about person to person sales? Gun shows, parking lo,t etc...?

Know that the rifle my son just purchased at the local gun show did the check. They ran the NICS while he finished filling out paperwork, boxed up the rifle, etc. Did seem them turn a guy down, so they must be checking. As always, there are ways around everything, what controls 'parking lot' sales now?

 

[missoak]

Don't think this is about long guns. Now, if a private sale of a handgun, the purchaser must get a permit to purchase from the local PD. Not sure if this will change.
I would like to see the PD keep giving the permit to purchase, just not keep any records.
Without the permit to purchase or a CPL how are we to know the buyer is even qualified to buy a handgun?

 

[Icemanii]

Don't think this is about long guns. Now, if a private sale of a handgun, the purchaser must get a permit to purchase from the local PD. Not sure if this will change.
I would like to see the PD keep giving the permit to purchase, just not keep any records.
Without the permit to purchase or a CPL how are we to know the buyer is even qualified to buy a handgun?

Yes, but the person I quoted asked about gun shows, parking lots sales. I was just showing how gun shows (at least in my area) do the NICS check for long guns already, so would believe they would continue to do so for handguns. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[Icemanii]

Sent my rep a message requesting they get this thru bringing us up to par with other states. having dealt quite a bit with the MI legislation on the Helmet bill though, not holding out much hope. They don't call it a lame duck session for nothing.

Still have to try.

 

[ezkl2230]

But what about person to person sales? Gun shows, parking lo,t etc...?

Background checks aren't required for person to person long gun sales, this would simply put handgun sales on par with long gun sales. NICS will still be required at gun shows for ALL firearms purchases, just as they are now. It would also continue to require a CPL in order to carry concealed - not sure why.

 

[Woody1960]

So basically any idiot can go to a web site gun forum and buy a hand gun from anybody with out a cpl or a pp?? I don't know..., seems a little risky. Not many hold ups/robberies done with a long gun. And this notion that a "felon" wont buy a gun cause it is a 5 year prison term is ridiculous to me. I guess I wont be selling any firearms to anybody I don't know. Unless they have a cpl.

 

[Icemanii]

Not looking good, they took it off the agenda to be voted on in committee tomorrow. Sounds like without a lot of letters and phone calls, not going to be voted this year.

 

[ezkl2230]

An online poll with the stated goal of preventing this legislation from being passed has over 7100 votes, on their way to a goal of Link Removed

 

[ezkl2230]

Not looking good, they took it off the agenda to be voted on in committee tomorrow. Sounds like without a lot of letters and phone calls, not going to be voted this year.

Snyder doesn't want it, and despite the fact that Snyder is a RINO, an independent who ran as a Republican simply because he knew that he couldn't run as an independent and win in Michigan, the House and Senate Majority leaders snap-to every time he cracks the whip.

This package of bills has popular support, but we are starting to see the beginnings of a Blooomberg style government in Michigan under which everything is becoming centralized, local control is being lost, the MSP want to keep tabs on law abiding citizens, and our rich nerd is able to buy pretty much what he wants. He has also become quite cozy with Obama, and he knows that Obama certainly wouldn't be in favor of this passing, giving him one more reason to object to this bill; he's not going to do anything to jeopardize his relationship with Obama.