House passes loosened concealed weapons bill

Members of the State House passed a bill last Wednesday making it easier for state citizens to acquire concealed weapons permits, despite national outcries for stricter gun control after last month's shootings at Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colo.

The bill amends a former Michigan law that required applicants to apply to a county gun board and convince them, beyond a shadow of a doubt, they needed the permit.

Under the former law, the gun board may grant permits to prospective individuals under their discretion. The new bill changes the wording of the old law from "may" to "shall."

This change would take power away from county gun control boards by forcing them to grant permits to all individuals who pass a gun proficiency test and who have no felony convictions, domestic abuse incidents or history of mental illness.

The bill passed easily in the House with 72 votes out of a possible 110. Although the Senate delayed deliberations on a similar concealed weapons bill after Thursday's shootings at an Atlanta-area high school, Rep. John Hansen (D-Ann Arbor) is expected to pass as well.

Sen. David Jaye (R-Macomb), who proposed the legislation in Senate, insists the bill would improve public safety and eliminate the discrepancies which now exist between the number of permits in different counties.

Jaye cited the ten permits issued in Washtenaw County compared with 10,000 in his home district of Macomb County as proof of the flaws in the former legislation calling it "arbitrary and capricious."

Jaye said "self defense is the most important constitutional and human right; all others pale compared to this right."

But others are fearful of the new legislation. Hansen said the bill will mean a 2 to 3 percent rise in gun permits statewide. "More guns, means more opportunity for problems," such as children removing weapons from "daddy's drawer," he said.

Rep. Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) said she is also apprehensive of the ramifications of the bill. Jacobs said "more concealed weapons mean more death and destruction in domestic squabbles, road rage, and crimes of passion."

Jacobs said she is opposed to Jaye's interpretation of the right to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment. The right to bear arms "was designed to arm a militia against Britain," she said.

05-24-99