By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A group of 29 state House Republicans has unveiled a five-bill legislative package with the aim of making Michigan the 30th state to adopt a so-called “Constitutional Carry” law allowing carry of defensive firearms for personal protection.
“Over the past few decades,” Rep. Joe Fox said during a press conference, “there has been a sharp increase in the number of CPL applications across our nation. Clearly, government overreach is encouraging Americans to secure their Second Amendment right to carry a firearm and to utilize that firearm, especially for self-defense…Constitutional carry states tend to experience a reduction in violent crime following the enactment of these constitutional carry laws.”
House Bills 5653, 5654, 5655, 5656, and 5657 comprise the package, which sponsors acknowledge face a difficult time in Lansing. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is not likely to sign the bills.
But Fox told WJBK News, “This and many other bills that we are doing in the House, I would call them practice for the future. We are about making a statement that there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things, and we would like to keep putting forth what we see as the right way. And this aligns with the Constitution.”
If the legislation were to pass, Michigan’s concealed pistol license would still be available, allowing Michiganders to have the license so they could carry in other states with reciprocity agreements. For a current look at reciprocity, check HandgunLaw.us.
Permitless carry is now the law in 29 states, and Great Lakes State anti-gunners want to keep it out of Michigan, claiming the practice would make the public less safe. It is the same argument used to fight similar legislation in other states.
Republican Rep. Jay DeBoyer, quoted by WWMT News, commented, “For the government of the state of Michigan to tell that that we have to be qualified under the guise of their rules in order to protect ourselves is a far cry from what the constitution provides for us.”
According to the Michigan State Police, there are currently more than 845,000 active carry licenses in the state.
