Yesterday, Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a controversial Senate Bill 789 that would have made Michigan a true "shall-issue" state for concealed weapons permits.

Senate Bill 789 was sponsored by Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, and would have eliminated county gun boards and made Michigan a true “shall-issue," which means people are required to have a license or permit to carry a concealed handgun, and applicants must meet meet certain criteria.

SB 789 basically stated that concealed weapons permits must be issued, even to persons subject to personal protection orders for domestic violence or stalking, provided they would otherwise be eligible for a permit and a ban on obtaining a gun is not a condition of their personal protection orders.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, had urged Snyder to veto the legislation, because they were worried that it potentially could help put firearms in the hands of domestic abusers. Many women's groups also were against this bill. Other groups, such as the National Rifle Association, said that fears were overblown and noted anyone with a felony conviction for domestic abuse would be ineligible for a concealed pistol license.

Snyder said that there were a number of reforms in Senate Bills 789 and 790 that he can and did support and he stated that he wants to work with the Legislature on new bills that could make the necessary changes without putting domestic abuse victims at risk.

As reported by the Detroit Free Press, Snyder said, “We simply can’t and won’t take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation.” 

Snyder went on to say, “There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it’s crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse.”

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