Lots of good info here even if you aren't from Michigan. They have, for instance, John Lott's new column on Wakefield.
Anybody who has a few bucks would find them well-spent with this effective organization. And, in the meantime, contact Gov. Engler and support him (info at end of article).
http://www.mcrgo.org/
By Sara Scott, Booth News Service
LANSING - Concealed weapons permit-holders won't be able to legally carry a weapon into a Michigan casino, bar or sports arena.
But, they will be able to carry them into party stores, malls and even some dance clubs.
Gov. John Engler this weekend is expected to sign a bill that revamps Michigan's concealed weapons law, making it easier to obtain a permit but restricting where weapons are allowed.
Though controversial, the "CCW Free Zones" were key to the bill's passage.
"It was a compromise," said Rod Collins, a spokesman for the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners. "No one got everything they wanted ... But this was the version that the lawmakers could live with."
Once signed, the bill will make Michigan a shall-issue state, meaning county gun boards must grant permits to applicants if they are 21, have no recent criminal history, no mental problems and can successfully pass a training course. Now, local gun boards have discretion in granting CCW permits, and applicants are required to show a need.
The bill also creates several gun-free zones: schools, day care centers, hospitals, college dormitories and classrooms, churches, casinos, bars, restaurants that serve alcohol, and stadiums and arenas with a capacity of at least 2,500.
A permit-holder caught carrying a weapon in a gun-free zone could face a $500 fine and a six-month permit suspension.
Businesses that aren't included in the gun-free zones are certainly free to post a no-guns-allowed sign, but violators can't be prosecuted under the law, said Rep. Michael Green, who sponsored the bill.
"They could kick someone out, sure, but that's about it," said Green, a Mayville Republican.
Several businesses, including some adult entertainment clubs, fall just outside the requirements for gun-free zone status.
Brad Shafer, an attorney who represents Deja Vu, a chain of alcohol-free adult entertainment clubs, said gun-related trouble is a concern for all entertainment facility operators.
But, at Deja Vu, there hasn't been gun-related trouble.
"In general, the men don't come to an adult entertainment club looking to joust, they come here to look at the women," Shafer said. "You're more likely to have trouble in a bar ... where there's a lot drinking going on."
The gun-free zones were a sticking point in legislative debate of the controversial bill. Engler had said he would not sign it unless the zones were included.
Zone proponents say it will reduce the chances of a gun-related tragedy. Opponents say the designation may have the opposite effect.
"We call them 'victim zones'" said Collins. "It's like advertising to criminals that there aren't any law-abiding citizens with guns in these places."
Green said he's fairly confident that most permit holders would have a clear understanding of where it is legal to carry their weapon, because the information will be covered in a required training course. He said he was worried that some current permit-holders, who will be grandfathered in, may not be aware of the new rules.
Engler received the bill Dec. 19 and has until Tuesday, or two weeks from that date of receipt, to sign it. A spokesman said the governor would sign the bill sometime this weekend.
The bill takes effect July 1.
According to recent figures from the Michigan State Police, there are about 51,000 CCW permits in Michigan. Of those, about 21,000 are nonrestricted, allowing holders to take their guns anywhere. It's difficult to say how much that number will grow under the new law.
Opponents of the bill have launched a campaign to reverse the new law by taking a referendum to voters in 2002.
"We'll start gathering signatures in early January," said Carolynne Jarvis, the executive director of the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence. "We have no intention of letting the grass grow."
Contact Sara Scott at (517) 487-8888 or e-mail her at sscott5669@aol.com.
Contact Governor Engler's office at 517-373-3400 and indictate your support for his signing the legislation. The anti's are definitely calling to rail against it.
Anybody who has a few bucks would find them well-spent with this effective organization. And, in the meantime, contact Gov. Engler and support him (info at end of article).
http://www.mcrgo.org/
By Sara Scott, Booth News Service
LANSING - Concealed weapons permit-holders won't be able to legally carry a weapon into a Michigan casino, bar or sports arena.
But, they will be able to carry them into party stores, malls and even some dance clubs.
Gov. John Engler this weekend is expected to sign a bill that revamps Michigan's concealed weapons law, making it easier to obtain a permit but restricting where weapons are allowed.
Though controversial, the "CCW Free Zones" were key to the bill's passage.
"It was a compromise," said Rod Collins, a spokesman for the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners. "No one got everything they wanted ... But this was the version that the lawmakers could live with."
Once signed, the bill will make Michigan a shall-issue state, meaning county gun boards must grant permits to applicants if they are 21, have no recent criminal history, no mental problems and can successfully pass a training course. Now, local gun boards have discretion in granting CCW permits, and applicants are required to show a need.
The bill also creates several gun-free zones: schools, day care centers, hospitals, college dormitories and classrooms, churches, casinos, bars, restaurants that serve alcohol, and stadiums and arenas with a capacity of at least 2,500.
A permit-holder caught carrying a weapon in a gun-free zone could face a $500 fine and a six-month permit suspension.
Businesses that aren't included in the gun-free zones are certainly free to post a no-guns-allowed sign, but violators can't be prosecuted under the law, said Rep. Michael Green, who sponsored the bill.
"They could kick someone out, sure, but that's about it," said Green, a Mayville Republican.
Several businesses, including some adult entertainment clubs, fall just outside the requirements for gun-free zone status.
Brad Shafer, an attorney who represents Deja Vu, a chain of alcohol-free adult entertainment clubs, said gun-related trouble is a concern for all entertainment facility operators.
But, at Deja Vu, there hasn't been gun-related trouble.
"In general, the men don't come to an adult entertainment club looking to joust, they come here to look at the women," Shafer said. "You're more likely to have trouble in a bar ... where there's a lot drinking going on."
The gun-free zones were a sticking point in legislative debate of the controversial bill. Engler had said he would not sign it unless the zones were included.
Zone proponents say it will reduce the chances of a gun-related tragedy. Opponents say the designation may have the opposite effect.
"We call them 'victim zones'" said Collins. "It's like advertising to criminals that there aren't any law-abiding citizens with guns in these places."
Green said he's fairly confident that most permit holders would have a clear understanding of where it is legal to carry their weapon, because the information will be covered in a required training course. He said he was worried that some current permit-holders, who will be grandfathered in, may not be aware of the new rules.
Engler received the bill Dec. 19 and has until Tuesday, or two weeks from that date of receipt, to sign it. A spokesman said the governor would sign the bill sometime this weekend.
The bill takes effect July 1.
According to recent figures from the Michigan State Police, there are about 51,000 CCW permits in Michigan. Of those, about 21,000 are nonrestricted, allowing holders to take their guns anywhere. It's difficult to say how much that number will grow under the new law.
Opponents of the bill have launched a campaign to reverse the new law by taking a referendum to voters in 2002.
"We'll start gathering signatures in early January," said Carolynne Jarvis, the executive director of the Michigan Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence. "We have no intention of letting the grass grow."
Contact Sara Scott at (517) 487-8888 or e-mail her at sscott5669@aol.com.
Contact Governor Engler's office at 517-373-3400 and indictate your support for his signing the legislation. The anti's are definitely calling to rail against it.
