LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Even though Michigan Democrats pushed through a plethora of gun control legislation this year, it doesn’t appear to be enough for some in Michigan. That includes Lansing Mayor Andy Schor who has several ideas of his own that he is offering up to state legislators.
In an effort to help the police and prosecutors across Lansing and the rest of the state, Schor had a recent press conference, offering up 16 gun proposals including penalties for the production of ghost guns, privately made guns, and guns lost or stolen and used in a the commission of a crime. His proposals also include penalties for the possession of any device that increases magazine capacity beyond original manufacturer specifications and the prohibiting by local communities to ban the sales of guns or ammunition – as well as prohibiting the carrying of firearms openly or concealed in local communities.
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Schor said during the press conference, “We don’t want to do this and present these ideas when there’s an incident. We want to present these ideas now, to be proactive to get ahead of this to make sure that we can place ideas on the table … to help keep our citizens and the citizens and other communities safe.”
The Lansing State Journal reported that the city’s Police Chief Ellery Sosebee sat with Schor during the Nov. 16 news conference, and said at the time that his officers had responded to 944 calls for shots fired, 60 nonfatal shootings and seized more than 400 firearms so far this year. The Lansing Police also said that they have investigated 11 homicides so far this year that have involved a firearm.
Police Chief Sosebee said, “I’m very concerned about the impact on the safety of the citizens of Lansing and my officers because these guns are so prevalent in our city, our state and our country, really.” He emphasized the proposals that address illegal guns saying, “Any legislation enhances our ability to combat these illegal gun possessions and violence and makes our community safe.”
Matthew Schneider, a former federal prosecutor who reviewed Schor’s proposals, said that some of them, like the ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition, would be unlikely to be upheld on constitutional grounds.
Regardless of the constitutionality of gun control measures, the Michigan legislature has shown a willingness to introduce and pass gun control legislation and Rep. Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) reportedly saying she’s “very supportive” of Scholar’s proposals.
The present challenge of passing more gun legislation in the state is the current deadlocked legislature which came about after two Michigan House members won mayoral elections. With a current 54-54 tie in the House, the special elections for the seats are set for a January 30th primary and an April 16 general election for the seats.
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