Today, Senator Mike Green (R-31) reintroduced legislation that—among other significant reforms—seeks to eliminate county concealed pistol licensing boards. Senate Bills 34 and 35 will replicate the monumental reforms seen in Senate Bills 789 and 790 from last session. Unfortunately, after passing the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support, SBs 789 and 790 were vetoed by Governor Rick Snyder as a result of pressure from out-of-state anti-gun organizations who spread misinformation about the legislation. With the help of significant grassroots support, SBs 34 and 35 are expected to swiftly move through the legislative process.
Senate Bills 34 and 35 have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee and are expected to receive a hearing this afternoon. Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support SBs 34 and 35.
These bills seek to create a more efficient, expedient and uniform concealed pistol licensing process for all statutorily eligible Michiganders. SB 34 accomplishes this goal by eliminating county concealed pistol licensing boards as well as the discretionary licensing authority currently held by those boards. With the elimination of the county licensing boards, county clerks would administer the concealed weapon licensing process. Background checks that are statutorily required to obtain a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) would be conducted by the Michigan State Police (MSP). However, the MSP would not retain the discretionary authority currently held by the county licensing boards since SB 34 mandates that all persons who statutorily qualify for a CPL (i.e. not prohibited under 28.425b and satisfy all financial and submission obligations) would receive a license.
SB 34 also provides enhanced avenues for redressing licensing delays. Under SB 34, the county clerks and MSP have 45 days—beginning on the date fingerprints are taken—to either issue a CPL or provide a notice of disqualification. If the licensing authority fails to comply with the 45-day requirement, the individual’s fingerprint receipt and driver’s license will serve as a temporary license. For renewals, the expired license will serve as the temporary license.
In an effort to further simplify the licensing process, SB 34 includes a mandate requiring the creation of an online application process by 2018. This important reform will remedy the significant inconvenience currently experienced by individuals who often must take time off of work or other daily duties to wait in a line and file an in-person application with the county clerk. Other reforms that were carried over include renewal by mail for active-duty members of the military who are stationed outside of the state.
Please contact your state Senator, as well as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and respectfully urge them to support Senate Bills 34 and 35.
Senate Judiciary Committee:
Senator Rick Jones (R-24), Committee Chairman
(517) 373-3447
SenRJones@senate.michigan.gov
Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-26), Vice Chairman
(517) 373-0793
SenTSchuitmaker@senate.michigan.gov
Senator Steven Bieda (D-9), Minority Committee Chairman
(517) 373-8360
SenSBieda@senate.michigan.gov
Senator Tory Rocca (R-10)
(517) 373-7315
Email
Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-7)
(517) 373-7350
SenPColbeck@senate.michigan.gov
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