LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a plan sponsored by State Representatives Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor) and Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) to protect gun owners and support firearms retailers.
"We must promote responsible gun ownership," said Geiss, a sponsor of the plan. "But Michigan's gun law is out of touch with the rest of the country and makes it difficult for gun retailers and gun owners to abide by these conflicting state and federal guidelines. This plan eliminates that confusion and enables gun store owners to boost their businesses by selling firearms to a broader base of hunters, collectors and gun enthusiasts."
Currently, the Michigan Firearms Act defines a pistol as 30 inches or less in length. The plan sponsored by Geiss and Ebli, which unanimously passed the House and now heads to the Senate, redefines the length of a pistol as being 26 inches or less in order to bring state gun law in line with federal gun laws. The plan includes a grandfather clause so those who have a concealed pistol license for a gun between 26 and 30 inches can keep and use that gun after the new provision takes effect.
"Gun ownership is a proud tradition enjoyed by countless Michigan residents," said Ebli, a sponsor of the plan. "This legislation is a simple change that will align Michigan's gun laws with federal laws, while also preserving the rights of current gun owners. As an avid hunter and gun owner, I will continue to be a strong advocate for the protection of Michigan's gun laws and the rights of gun owners."