House Government Operations Committee Chairman Brian BeGole said on May 5 that he is working to block legislation aimed at tightening gun regulations for residents of Shiawassee, Genesee, and Saginaw counties.
The proposed legislative packages, House Bills 5741-54 and House Bills 5758-60, were recently sent to the Government Operations Committee. These bills would introduce additional criminal penalties for firearm owners, establish longer waiting periods and more weapon-free zones, create new requirements for small business owners, and increase regulation of firearms.
“These bills try to double down on work Democrats have already done to impose sweeping anti-Second Amendment laws,” BeGole said. “The answer to tragedies we have seen is not more laws that curtail our rights. A criminal wouldn’t respect a gun-free zone, but law-abiding gun owners who want to legally protect themselves will be expected to follow them or face legal ramifications if they don’t. More regulations also make it more likely someone unknowingly breaks a law.”
BeGole also said: “Law-abiding gun owners are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist, to hunt, or to keep their homes and families safe. I won’t stand for proposals that infringe on our Constitutional rights, and that’s why these bills won’t see the light of day in our committee.”
According to the statement released by BeGole’s office, he has previously voted against Democratic measures involving universal firearms licensing and increased surveillance related to guns.
BeGole’s continued opposition signals ongoing debate over Second Amendment issues in Michigan’s legislature.
