Lansing — Legislation that likely would pit Michigan against the federal government in a legal battle over firearms regulations is on its way to a vote by the full Senate after a brief Wednesday committee hearing.
Senate Bill 63 would exempt firearms and firearms accessories made and sold exclusively in Michigan from federal gun restrictions, including those proposed by President Barack Obama in response to last month's slaying of 20 children and six adults at a Connecticut elementary school. Obama's proposals include universal background checks for firearms purchases and a ban on assault weapons.
A full Senate vote has yet to be scheduled.
GOP lawmakers have touted the legislation as a way to lure gun manufacturers to Michigan. Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, and Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, issued a letter inviting Remington Arms Co. to relocate here from New York, which just passed stringent new gun regulations.
"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," Green said following the hearing.
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. "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.
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. But Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, the only "no" in a 3-1 vote to send the bill to the full Senate, said he's concerned the measure would violate the supremacy and commerce clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
"The (new) federal regulations or laws aren't even out there yet," Bieda said. "I feel like we're buying a lawsuit without even knowing what the lawsuit is for."
The committee heard testimony from Steve Dulan, an attorney and professor at Lansing's Thomas M. Cooley Law School, who described the proposal as "an important assertion of state sovereignty. Just because there might be a fight doesn't mean we shouldn't proceed."
Dulan also serves on the board of the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners.
Ferndale resident Rebecca Hammond said the bill takes Michigan in the wrong direction. "I would like to see gun victims get the same concern and respect as gun owners," said Hammond, whose testimony was cut short when she clashed with committee Chairman Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, over his remarks in favor of the legislation.
The committee also sent to the full Senate a bill exempting Michigan gun registrations from public disclosure under Michigan's sunshine act.
Jones said a court ruling blocks the Michigan State Police from divulging such information. The bill, a response to a recent incident in which a New York newspaper obtained and printed the addresses of gun licensees, would embed the restriction in state law.
From The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130124/POLITICS02/301240369#ixzz2J6mUU9rq
