Look really close at the wording on this.
A draft version of the bill defines “assault weapon” as a semiautomatic pistol or semiautomatic or pump-action rifle capable of accepting a detachable magazine, that has at least one feature including a pistol grip behind the trigger on a rifle, a shoulder stock on a pistol, a barrel shroud, a muzzle break or compensator, or a protruding grip not held by the trigger hand.
can you say vague?
LANSING, MI — Michigan Democrats have introduced a package of bills meant to reduce gun violence including one targeting assault weapons, according to a news release from the lawmakers.
Robert WittenbergState Representative Robert Wittenberg, D-Oak Park, and other caucus members, introduced the gun legislation Wednesday, Oct. 19.
The bill to prohibit and provide penalties for the manufacturing, purchasing, possessing, selling and transferring assault weapons was sponsored by Rep. Wittenberg and Rep. Jim Townsend, D-Royal Oak.
“The right to have a firearm is fundamental in our country, but that doesn’t mean we should have to accept unnecessary injuries and deaths because of them,” Wittenberg said. “I’m proud to be part of these proposals that will restore common sense to our firearms legislation and protect millions of Michiganders from gun violence.”
A draft version of the bill defines “assault weapon” as a semiautomatic pistol or semiautomatic or pump-action rifle capable of accepting a detachable magazine, that has at least one feature including a pistol grip behind the trigger on a rifle, a shoulder stock on a pistol, a barrel shroud, a muzzle break or compensator, or a protruding grip not held by the trigger hand.
The definition also includes a pistol capable of accepting a detachable magazine in a location outside of the pistol grip, a semiautomatic pistol or “center-fire rifle” with a fixed magazine that can carry more than 10 rounds of ammunition, and a shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
The bill would also make it illegal to posses at the same time a semiautomatic or pump-action rifle, or a semiautomatic pistol capable of accepting a detachable magazine, and a magazine capable of use with that firearm that contains more than 10 ammo rounds.
Wittenberg was not available for questions Wednesday about the bill, according to a staff member.
The draft version of the bill contains some exceptions and sets requirements for people owning assault weapons before the proposed law’s effective date, including registering the weapon with the Michigan State Police.
A person in violation of the proposed legislation would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison, a $2,100 fine, or both.
Kalamazoo resident Mike Warren, 33, a member of the Michigan Gun Rights group, said he opposes the bill targeting assault weapons, partly because he believes it would impact law-abiding gun owners more than criminals.
“It’s like a solution looking for a problem,” Warren said. “We don’t have a problem with people killing people with rifles.”
In Michigan, according to 2015 FBI statistics, there were 389 murders with a gun used. Of those, 10 were rifles, the FBI data shows. Another 10 were shotguns, 148 were handguns, and 221 were “unknown” type.
Just a heads up MI guys, let em know this won’t fly!