Proposed Michigan Bill Would Allow Permitless Carry

From left, state Reps. Triston Cole, Pamela Hornberger, Michele Hoitenga and Sue Allor submit their right-to-carry bills to the enrolling clerk. (credit: Michigan House Republican Caucus Services)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A four-bill package has been introduced in the Michigan House, that, if passed, will bring Constitutional Carry to the Great Lakes State.

The bill is sponsored by Reps. Michele Hoitenga of Manton, Triston Cole of Mancelona, Sue Allor of Wolverine and Pamela Hornberger of Chesterfield Township.

The legislation would remove penalties for concealed carry without a government-issued permit, which its sponsors say is a “step towards reforming Michigan firearm law to stop law-abiding citizens from being punished for exercising their Second Amendment right to bear arms.”

The Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO) has noted that 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,” and that under the present law that constitutional right only protects open carry.

Michigan allows open carry. A license is currently required in Michigan to carry concealed, and HB 4416 would move to treat concealed carry the same way open carry is today in the state.

“Responsible people shouldn’t have to obtain a special permit from the government to exercise a right that is guaranteed in both the U.S. and state constitutions,” Rep. Hoitenga said in a statement. “Other states have recently passed full constitutional-carry laws, and I plead to my colleagues and our governor to pass this common-sense package that will allow law-abiding women, like myself, to protect ourselves and our families without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. Criminals don’t complete the permitting process before they commit a crime, and it’s time we level the playing field for lawful people who want nothing more than to protect their families.”

HB 4416 was introduced on March 28 and was subsequently referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The state could continue to issue concealed-carry permits under the proposed law. The current permitting structure would remain in place to allow Michigan CPL holders to carry in states that recognize Michigan’s permits. And a Michgan CPL will continue to allow people to carry openly in certain restricted zones.

“People deserve to have the rights our Founding Fathers laid out for us in the U.S. Constitution, especially the right to bear arms,” Rep. Hornberger told CBS Detroit. “The fees required by the current law amount to a tax that infringes on this fundamental right.” — Peter Suciu, Texas & U.S. Law Shield blog contributor

 

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