Two bills introduced in the Legislature would make Michigan the 21st in the nation to be labeled a Second Amendment sanctuary state.

It’s unlikely the bills would pass the Democrat-controlled Senate or House and even more unlikely Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would sign the bills if they reached her desk.

Fifty-one of Michigan’s 83 counties have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries, as well as one city and five townships. A sanctuary declaration prevents the enforcement of any law, executive order, or regulation deemed to violate the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment protection of the right to bear arms.

House Bill 5132 was sponsored by Rep. Gina Johnsen, R-Lake Odessa. Senate Bill 584 was sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Allen.

HB 5132 and SB 584 would render unenforceable any law, rule, regulation, or administrative order that imposes taxes, levies, fees, or stamps on firearms, accessories, or ammunition; mandates the registration or tracking of firearms, accessories, or ammunition or owners of firearms, accessories, and ammunition; prohibits the possession, ownership, use or transfer of firearms, accessories, or ammunition; or orders the confiscation of firearms, accessories, or ammunition.

Efforts by The Midwesterner to obtain comments from Johnsen and Lindsey were unsuccessful.

However, in a joint news statement, the pair reinforced their individual commitments to protect Second Amendment rights in Michigan.

“My constituents sent me to Lansing to stand up for their rights, and that’s exactly what this legislation does,” Johnsen said. “Our Second Amendment is an integral part of our right to personal protection in the U.S., but those rights are being slowly chipped away. My Republican colleagues and I are doing all we can to get in the way of that.”

Since taking office in January, Johnsen has introduced a bill to establish the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act. The SAFPA would prohibit banks and credit card companies from requiring Michigan retailers to use specialized codes to flag firearms purchases. A second bill would allow CPL holders to carry their firearms on college campuses throughout Michigan.
Neither bill has been brought up for consideration by the Democratic majority in the House.

Lindsey, a military veteran, spearheaded a bill package earlier this year to bring constitutional carry to Michigan. Lindsey’s bill within the package, Senate Bill 309, would repeal the requirement for military members to obtain a Concealed Pistol License to carry a firearm.

“I am always proud to stand up for the Second Amendment,” Lindsey said. “Now, more than ever, we need bold action to preserve our rights.”