LANSING, Mich. (MIRS News) – As gun control activists consider pushing for legislation to strip away legal immunity from gun makers and gun dealers for deaths caused by firearms they made or sold, at least one group is targeting Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), who told MIRS Monday last week he was undecided on the issue.
A mailer complete with the Senator’s office phone number reads, “Right now, the Michigan legislature is trying to pass a law that would keep our kids safe by repealing the gun manufacturers and gun dealers immunity that’s currently on the books.”
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Underneath that is a picture of the Senator with the message, “Senator Cherry is standing in the way” and it continues, “Call Sen. Cherry and tell him don’t stand in the way of common-sense gun safety.”
The document shared with MIRS did not reveal what group is behind this effort.
Cherry told MIRS Monday last week that he’s aware that a number of colleagues are looking to introduce legislation on gun manufacturer immunity. He’s interested in seeing how it advances through a “rigorous committee” process, but he’s not “pre-judging it.”
“The way that I’m approaching this issue is I want to hear both sides,” said Cherry, who posted a picture on his social media account this weekend from his first clay shoot of the year. “I want to hear the up sides and down sides, the pros and cons of the argument. I’ll (then) try to make the best decision for the people in my district and in the state of Michigan.
“I’m keeping my mind open on all aspects of it.”
In the latest Progress Michigan polling conducted by Public Policy Polling, 47% of likely Michigan voters said they would support allowing victims of gun violence to sue manufacturers, distributors and dealers for irresponsible, reckless and negligent sales practices that contribute to gun violence. Another 44% said they would oppose such a move and the final 9% were not sure.
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Of the various gun proposals being proposed, opening up the immunity law for gun manufacturers and dealers is the only one that is under 50%.
The Democrats have a 20-18 advantage in the Senate and can’t afford to lose any votes for a measure like this, which would presumably not receive a single “yes” vote from minority Republicans.
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