MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News) – There’s focus this week on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who says he is reviewing legislation passed last week that is likely to spark passionate reaction on both sides of the gun-control issue.
The bill – passed a day prior to the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut – would allow some gun owners to bring concealed weapons to schools, churches, bars and other areas that are gun-free.
The Republican governor has not said if he’ll sign the legislation into law. The bill is part of a wider effort to ease gun laws in Michigan. The legislation does say a private business could opt out entirely and ban guns, but while schools could create gun-free zones, they could not opt out entirely.
A proposed amendment last week from House Democrat Lisa Brown to fully ban guns from schools in Michigan, was rejected. A Snyder spokesperson said Friday, that the governor had already been planning to carefully analyze the bill prior to the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.
The spokesperson added the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings are tragic and give pause, but also said the governor isn’t jumping to conclusions.
Great Lakes Radio – Delivering reliable and accurate local news to you on air, online and on demand