State Republicans Betray Gun Owners
State Republican Leadership to Pigeonhole CPL Pistol Free Zone Repeal
1 July 2011
by Phillip Hofmeister
I spoke to someone today who is close to a member of the Senate Republican Leadership. What he told me shocked me. It appears the Republican Leadership intends to not act on the Concealed Pistol License (CPL) Pistol Free Zone (PFZ) repeal.
I’m sure as any CPL holder knows, unless you have an exemption, you cannot carry concealed in certain enumerated places such as schools, sports stadiums, bars, churches, etc. It’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s the general drift of the current law. See MCL 28.425o for all the gory details. Many CPL holders may also be aware that Senate Bill 58 proposes to repeal all of those PFZs.
Anyone who is capable of researching a bill on the State Legislature website will no doubt notice the bill has gone nowhere. “Why is that”, you may wonder. Aren't the Republicans we voted in pro-2A? We were told that the budget (perhaps rightly so) was priority 1, 2, and 3. We were told “Social Issues” wouldn’t be considered until the budget was out of the way. Okay, so we can be patient. What now? Why no movement? I asked someone I know who is connected to the State Republican Party that same question to find out myself. Here’s what I heard…
The Governor won’t sign it because he feels it’s too “contentious”. Folks, in case you haven’t been paying attention, this Governor is NOT afraid of being contentious. Have you noticed how many people were bothered by his proposed budget? Did that stop him from moving forward on that? Nope. Given that, a bill that will certainly rally his base is “too contentious”? I find this hard to believe.
I also learned that since the Governor has indicated he won’t sign it and may veto it, the Republican Leadership in the Legislature, that’s right – Jase Bolger and Randy Richardville, won’t bring the bill up. It appears to me they don’t want to make the Governor look bad if he chooses to veto the bill. So, if I understand their strategy right, rather than throwing the Governor under the bus they plan to throw the whole party under the bus. Great idea, guys!
A disclaimer, I can’t guarantee the accuracy of my statements. I haven’t spoken to staff for the Speaker nor the Senate Majority Leader. However, I say this to them: “If I am wrong about what I’ve said, prove it.” How? Discharge SB 58 from committee (you’re no stranger to doing this, Mr. Richardville) and bring it to the Senate Floor for an immediate vote. Whip your members to pass it and send it to the House. I then issue the same challenge of action to Mr. Bolger. If they do this, I will recant this article and personally apologize to them on every channel that I have published this article.
If the Governor wants to veto it, let him. Let him show his true colors to the 250,000+ CPL holders and the millions of Gun Owners that helped put him in office. If the Republican Leadership won’t force the issue, all of these people who gladly gave you their support on Election Day will remember this betrayal and withdraw their support on the next Election Day.
I also hear you guys are facing recall challenges. What a better way to survive these recalls with minimal effort than pass this bill that will surely rally your base, hmm?
So, Mr. Richardsville and Mr. Bolger, the ball is in your court. It’s time to play it, we’re all watching – closely.
Sen. Randy Richardsville – (517) 373-3543 SenRichardville@senate.michigan.gov
Rep. Jase Bolger – (517) 373-1787 JamesBolger@house.mi.gov
