Michigan House Approves HB 4416, Which Would Repeal State’s Concealed Pistol License Requirement
House Local Government Committee Also Advances HB 4616, Which Would Let Out-of-State Special Interest Groups Sue Michigan Municipalities for Enacting or Enforcing Public Safety Laws
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following response after the Michigan House passed HB 4416, a bill that would allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or firearm safety training. Dismantling the permit requirement would lower the bar for who may carry concealed handguns in public in Michigan, to include some violent criminals, stalkers and drug criminals. More information about this bill is available here.
Recent polling by SurveyUSA shows Michiganders’ strong support for the current permitting requirement. In fact, 91 percent of respondents – including 94 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of Democrats, 84 percent of gun owners and 85 percent of current permit holders – support the state’s Concealed Pistol License – or CPL – requirement for carrying a concealed handgun in public.
Also today, the House Local Government Committee voted to advance HB 4616, which would allow out-of-state special interest groups to sue Michigan cities and towns for attempting to enact or enforce local solutions to gun violence. The bill would further tie the hands of local officials like mayors and police chiefs, and entitle out-of-state trial attorneys to unjustly large payouts at Michigan taxpayers’ expense. More information about this bill is available here.
STATEMENT FROM EMILY DURBIN, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“It’s unfortunate that instead of taking action to address the gun violence we see all too often, Michigan representatives today advanced two gun lobby-backed bills that put Michiganders at risk. Dismantling our common-sense Concealed Pistol License requirement would let some violent criminals and people with no safety training legally carry hidden, loaded handguns in public throughout Michigan, making it harder for law enforcement to protect our communities. Michigan law enforcement groups have opposed HB 4416, and our legislators should listen to their concerns.
“Enacting HB 4616, a punitive preemption bill, would also undermine public safety and would expose Michigan cities and towns to out-of-state lawsuits over local laws designed to prevent gun violence.
“We’ll continue to raise awareness about the consequences of these proposed laws. We urge our elected officials to stop them from advancing any further.”
