The Senate Judiciary
Committee on Tuesday reported two bills that allow for concealed carry of
weapons in traditionally gun-free zones such as schools, hospitals, and
churches. This bill prohibits open carry in these same areas.
Senator Mike Green
(R-Mayville) sponsors SB 442 and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West
Olive) sponsors SB 561. An amendment tie-barred these two bills to each other, with
Senator Green’s making the change in the state’s handgun licensure law and
Senator Meekhof’s making the change in the penal code. The law currently says a
person cannot possess a firearm on the premises of a financial institution, a
church or other religious house, a court, bar, theatre, sports arena or
stadium, day care center and hospital.
Several persons
expressed their opposition to these bills, stating it will cause more confusion
for police response and would essentially bring guns into the schools,
effectively putting students at risk. In response, Senator Green said this
isn’t a matter of “we don’t want guns in the schools,” it’s “we’ve got guns in
schools, let’s change the law,” which he said that’s exactly what he’s trying
to do.
The bills were
reported out of committee to the full Senate. Senator Meekhof is supportive of
the legislation, but Governor Snyder has traditionally been opposed to ending
gun-free zones.