Keeping the grass roots growing!!
On Wednesday, Sen. Mike Green of Mayville, testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 60, legislation he sponsored that would clarify the definition of a “federally licensed firearms dealer” under state law.LAPEER COUNTY — While the federal government grapples with gun control measures in the wake of a mass shooting in a Connecticut elementary school that left 20 children and six adults dead, a state Senate committee voted Wednesday to expand rights for gun owners in Michigan.
The main bill would exempt Michigan-made guns and ammunition from federal firearm regulations. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 3-1 vote. It is one of three bills that expand rights for gun owners in the state. The other two would exempt gun licensing information from the Freedom of Information Act and exempt licensing requirements for some federal firearms dealers.
The bill, dubbed the “Michigan Firearms Freedom Act,” is sponsored by Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair, who argued gun owners’ Second Amendment rights are in jeopardy.
Pavlov represents the 25th Senate District that includes Lapeer and St. Clair counties.
A full Senate vote has yet to be scheduled.
The bill wouldn’t have an immediate effect anyway because there are no gun manufacturers in the state. That could change. GOP lawmakers have touted the legislation as a way to lure gun manufacturers to Michigan. Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, and Rep. Joel Johnson, RClare, issued a letter inviting Remington Arms Co. to relocate here from New York, which just passed stringent new gun regulations.
But Gov. Rick Snyder, a fellow Republican, cast doubt on whether the gun proposal would be a jobs boost for the state.
“I believe some other states have done similar legislation already,” Snyder told reporters this week. “I think it would be worth looking to see did they find a big boom of gun manufacturers or not in those states.”
He noted the bill is newly introduced and he hasn’t had a chance to delve into it, so he hasn’t yet taken a position. But he has said he would prefer lawmakers focus on other priorities.
On Wednesday, Sen. Green testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 60, legislation he sponsored that would clarify the definition of a “federally licensed firearms dealer” under state law.
“Pistol purchase permit reforms passed last year cannot be fully implemented in our state because of a technical definition in state law,” said Green. “My bill will clarify the law and remove unintended obstacles to the exercise of the Second Amendment in an industry that supports thousands of jobs in Michigan.”
The 31st Senate district, held by Green, includes the counties of Arenac, Bay, Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola.
The permit reforms were a part of Public Act 377 of 2012, which eliminated the state requirement to obtain a pistol purchase permit when buying from a licensed dealer. That requirement became redundant several years ago when comprehensive national background checks became mandatory for all firearms purchases.
Although intended to be industrywide, the reforms only applied to certain firearms retailers because of an obscure, outdated definition in state law of a licensed dealer. The technicality has caused widespread confusion among law enforcement, firearms retailers and consumers.
Green’s legislation changes the definition to include any retailer licensed under federal law to sell firearms. It does not affect state or federal background check requirements for purchasing a firearm in any way.
Remington in Michigan?
Pro-gun-rights legislators have invited the Remington Arms Company to become a part of Michigan’s reinvention. Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville and Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, issued a letter on Wednesday to the company urging them to consider Michigan for the relocation of its Ilion, New York manufacturing operations.
“Michigan workers are second to none and because of many bold reforms last session, our state is open for business,” said Green. “We also respect constitutional rights and legal commerce in state law, so in light of New York’s recent gun control legislation, we’re encouraging this American icon to bring their plants and thousands of jobs to Michigan.”
The letter reads, in part: “Michigan’s leaders have worked hard over the past two years to reinvent our state. We’re proud to be at the forefront of the nation’s economic comeback with positive, relentless action and bold reforms of our tax and regulatory structures.”
When ranked in late 2012, Michigan was named the 12th friendliest tax system in America. Additionally, the state has experienced a 10 percent rise in home sales and the creation of at least 65,200 more jobs since the beginning of 2011.
“We want Remington to know that Michigan welcomes them and the goodpaying jobs they offer,” said Johnson. “Remington has been a part of securing American homesteads, including my own, for generations. We would be proud to have this company housed within our state.”
Remington Arms Company, founded in 1816, is the oldest company in the United States that still makes its original product, and it is the oldest continuously operating manufacturer in North America. It currently employs more than 1,200 people directly at its Ilion plant and supports an additional 1,500 jobs in the surrounding area.
Earlier this month, New York’s governor signed into law a sweeping package of gun-control measures that significantly expand that state’s firearms registration requirements and its existing ban on so-called “assault” weapons and other firearms accessories. In addition to “assault” weapons, the new measures may also affect many of the hunting firearms that Remington produces.
http://thecountypress.mihomepaper.com//news/2013-01-27/News/Propose...
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Thanks to Sen. Pavlov and Sen. Gren for helping unsure that our 2nd Amendment rights will not be lost!
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