Communities across Michigan are taking a stand in support of gun rights by passing local legislation – though mostly non-binding resolutions – and sending a message to elected state officials at the same time.
Communities across Michigan are taking a stand in support of gun rights by passing local legislation – though mostly non-binding resolutions – and sending a message to elected state officials at the same time.
Communities across Michigan are taking a stand in support of gun rights by passing local legislation – though mostly non-binding resolutions – and sending a message to elected state officials at the same time.
While the wording varies in each locality, the common theme is one of local communities stating they will support constitutional rights regardless of state or federal laws that may be passed in the future.
Critics of the local efforts such as Linda Brundage, executive director of the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, attribute the opposition to further restriction of gun rights to people not understanding the intent of proposed restrictions.
Michigan Public Radio reported that attendees of a Livingston County Board of Commissioners were opposed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s support of “red flag” laws.
Those laws, which have met resistance across the country at the local level, allow a third party to petition a judge to take firearms from someone without a trial, based on claims the individual is a threat to themselves or others. The laws vary from state-to-state in regard to requirements for hearings or other opportunities for the targeted individual to respond before their Constitutional rights can be revoked by the judge.
Brundage said that her concern is safety, not taking away guns.
Michigan Public Radio did not interview any advocates of the resolutions.
In Hillsdale County, the County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in support of a resolution to reaffirm their oath of office, which includes support for both the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution.
Commissioner Ruth Brown said the sheriff’s race this year has added emphasis to the issue. She said her constituents wanted to send a message to law enforcement.
“This is bigger than Hillsdale County,” said Chairman Mark Wiley. “This is happening across the nation.”
In discussing the resolution, the commissioners debated whether it was worth sending a copy to Whitmer and other Democrats in the legislature. Commissioner Bruce Caswell pointed out that four Democrats in Virginia were the swing votes that prevented gun control legislation from passing there.
Ultimately, the Hillsdale commission voted to send their resolution to Whitmer, the entire legislature, Michigan’s representatives in Congress and all other Michigan counties.
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