(MPRN-Lansing) Legislation to overhaul the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses (CPLs) and regulates air guns will get a committee hearing on Tuesday in Lansing.
A state House panel will take up a dozen bills similar to ones recently vetoed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Snyder vetoed the CPL legislation because of language that could have allowed some people with personal protection orders (PPOs) against them to obtain a concealed weapon. He said that could’ve put domestic abuse victims in danger. He vetoed the air gun bills because he said they would have created inconsistencies in Michigan law about the definition of a “firearm.”
State House Judiciary Committee Chair Rep. KlintKesto, R-Commerce Twp., believes any problems with the bills will be fixed and the governor will support them.
“We’re looking at creating a streamlined process. We’re looking at creating consistency with other states as well as with the federal law,” said Kesto. “We’re going to just make sure that we have vetted all the issues out. We want to be deliberate when we’re creating legislation. We want to make sure all the interested parties are on board - but that we’re creating the right law.”
The reintroduced CPL bills recently cleared the state Senate on a mostly party-line vote. All but one Democrat voted against the legislation. Critics say although the controversial language regarding PPOs has been taken out, the bills still take away local control over decisions about who can get a CPL. The legislation would get rid of county gun boards, which currently approve CPLs. Those duties would go to county clerks with the State Police conducting background checks.
