House Bills 4026 and 4029 look to grant Michigan citizens constitutional carry rights and eliminate gun free zones.
HB 4026 reforms Michigan’s current concealed carry law by striking out the exemption language in 1927 PA 372. It removes the exempt status language:
The county clerk shall include an indication on the license if an individual is exempt from the prohibitions against carrying a concealed pistol on premises described in section 5o if the applicant provides acceptable proof that he or she qualifies for that exemption.
The whole list of persons able to get an exempt license are also amended out of the law.
The crucial change is in section 5f:
An individual who is licensed to carry a concealed pistol shall have his or her license to carry that pistol and his or her state-issued driver license or personal identification card in his or her possession at all times he or she is carrying a concealed pistol or a portable device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology ON THE PREMISES LISTED IN SECTION 5o.
Pistol free zones are not disappearing from the law itself. Anyone licensed to carry would be allowed to carry under the amended language, provided they have their license on them. It’s simple. If you are licensed you may carry. The provisions for blood alcohol limits, unlicensed carry, brandishing, threats, misbehavior, etc. will apply as normal.
HB 4029
The second legislative change set into motion is decriminalizing carry of a firearm without a license. Hunting knives too.
Sec. 227. (1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of an length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house , OR place of business or on other land possessed by the person. THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING: (A) A PERSON CARRYING A HUNTING KNIFE ADAPTED AND CARRIED AS A HUNTING KNIFE CONCEALED ON OR ABOUT HIS OR HER PERSON OR WHETHER CONCEALED OR OTHERWISE IN ANY VEHICLE OPERATED OR OCCUPIED BY THE PERSON. (B) A PERSON CARRYING A PISTOL CONCEALED ON OR ABOUT HIS OR HER PERSON OR WHETHER CONCEALED OR OTHERWISE IN ANY VEHICLE OPERATED OR OCCUPIED BY THE PERSON.
Vehicle carry without a license would no longer be a criminal act. Carrying concealed a firearm you own would no longer be a criminal act, subject to the pistol free zones for non-licensees.
So far they’re only bills sitting in Lansing, they could always use the public support such pro-rights measures deserve.
