Posted on 06/29/2011 5:58:17 AM PDT by marktwain
WYOMING, Mich. (WZZM) - On July 1, it will be ten years since the Michigan Concealed Pistol Law took effect, and currently 270,000 state residents have a permit to carry a pistol.
"I feel much better about going out in public," says permit holder Mike Visser at Silver Bullet Firearms in Wyoming. "I feel I am able to take an active role in the safety of my family and prevent and sort of violent attack."
The concealed pistol law makes Michigan a "must carry" state.
It means anyone who wants a concealed pistol permit can have one if they are 21 years old, are a U.S. citizen and Michigan resident, complete a pistol safety course and are not accused or convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors.
"Concealed pistol licensees are among the most law abiding citizens in Michigan," says Steve Dulan of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners.
The coalition lobbied the legislature to pass the law ten years ago.
Dulan say it's working the way they expected it would.
"What hasn't happened were all these predictions of blood in the streets and shootouts at the 'OK Corral' and all the doom and gloom that was in the public debate," he says. "Those of us who have concealed pistol licenses are a positive effect in society. We don't commit crime and we probably deter crime."
Most who have or want a concealed pistol permit say they hope they never need to use their gun in self defense.
But they say they are prepared to pull the trigger.
"Because the last thing you want to do is pull a gun and not be able to do it," says permit holder Mark Dopke.
"If you are not prepared you shouldn't have a gun," says pistol owner Claire Whitmore. "If you have a gun it's not to wave around and threaten."
"I know a couple of people who had to use their firearm in self defense," says Visser. "It is a terrible thought they have to live with for the rest of their life. But they knew it was either them or the bad guy. They had to do it to save their life."
“must carry”
?
There, fixed it.
It used to be the reverse, where the local police in Michigan taking the application could just say no if the person couldn't show good cause for having a gun.
It was a major step in the right direction for gun owners.
The author’s only an executive producer. Once he gets a bit of experience, I’m sure he’ll do a better job.
Good article. Thanks for posting. BANG-TO-THE-TOP!
That’s “shall issue”....not “must carry”.
We also have “shall issue” in MN.
“must carry”... can’t the Left get ONE gun story right, without a major mistake in the writing?
Most states refer to this concept as “must issue.” The right to obtain the permit is assumed unless some legal, extenuating condition exists to prohibit the permit.
Thanks.
I fully understand “shall issue” vs. “may issue”.
I was questioning the term “must carry”....
Sorry, assuming too much here.
There’s only one little thing wrong with the graphic. Wisconsin passed a concealed carry law within the last week or so. That leaves only Illinois, where the shootings seem to escalate with each year.
Nice graphic. Didn’t Wisconsin just pass a Concealed Handgun law, making Illinois the only state without one?
I am in northwest Ohio. I would like to know if there is any restrictions in Michigan for carry in a car with a CCW? Can it be on your person in a vehicle? I would like to be sure I don’t become a felon when I cross the state line.
This looks like a good place to find your answer:
http://www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/d_ccwfaq.asp
I know the NRA sometimes get a bad rap on FR, sometimes deservedly so, but the shall-issue laws now in effect in 40 (+/-) states, are due in large part to work by the NRA.
Yes. Also, Iowa became shall issue last year, and Wyoming became unrestricted this year.
The graphic only goes to 2006. There is likely an updated version on the web somewhere.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.