Democrats in Lansing on Wednesday rammed a raft of anti-gun measures through two separate House committees.
Collectively, House Bills 6183, 6184 and 6185 would eliminate the firearm industry’s civil liability protections. It would also allow civil actions against firearm industry members for “contributing to a public nuisance” by manufacturing and distributing products or failing to implement “reasonable controls.”
On Wednesday, the Michigan House Committee on Judiciary voted 8-5 along party lines in favor of the three measures. The measures are part of a series of anti-gun bills Lansing Democrats filed in their last days holding majorities in the House and Senate.
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State Rep. Andrew Fink, R-Adams Township, and other Republicans opposed the push as an attack on the firearm industry and a way to hinder lawful gun ownership.
“This legislation effectively suggests that a manufacturer of a product that Michigan citizens have a constitutional right to use, keep, and own could be held liable for the proper functioning of said product,” Fink said in a statement. “This would be like a car manufacturer being sued for a vehicle being used to intentionally harm another individual. The driver should be responsible for that crime, not the manufacturer. In this case, if a firearm is used for the purpose of committing a crime, it appears to me that this legislation would allow the attorney general or citizen to file an injunction against the manufacturer.”
Fink’s statement continued: “Firearms are dangerous, and if a person commits a crime using one, they must be held responsible, But to place blame on a manufacturer is senseless. The reality is that this legislation is essentially a shadow ban attempting to eliminate Michigan’s firearms industry. If Democrats want to ban firearms, they should just be open and honest about their intentions.”
Michigan United Conservation Clubs, which works to conserve, protect, and defend Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage, submitted testimony opposing HB 6184 and HB 6185. The group often posts pictures and stories “involving the regular, lawful use of firearms.”
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“To some individuals, the mere fact that MUCC or any other firearm industry member owns, possesses, and encourages the safe and lawful use of firearms is in and of itself a public nuisance,” MUCC Chief Executive Officer Amy Trotter said in submitted testimony. “The vague and subjective nature of this proposed legislation will undoubtedly lead to abuse of the law by gun control advocates and members of the public.”
Trotter added: “MUCC also uses firearms for giveaways, prizes, and membership incentives. This would open MUCC, and countless for-profit businesses and other non-profit organizations, up to civil liability due to misuse of a firearm after a legal firearm transfer following all federal and state laws, which includes a background check and firearm locking mechanisms. This would inevitably lead to frivolous legal action and/or increased insurance costs.”
Separately, the House Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee advanced House Bills 6144, 6145 and 6146, which would require most firearms seized as part of a gun buyback program to be destroyed. With Tuesday’s vote, the plan moves to the full House for further consideration.
House Republicans argue that such programs, including the destruction of firearms, are expensive. Auctioning off or finding alternative uses for some firearms can help offset those costs and even help smaller agencies with tighter budgets, and some firearms obtained through a buyback could be collectors’ items and may interest collectors of unique or antique firearms.
“Democrats have decided that forcing taxpayers to pay for unwanted guns isn’t enough, now they want taxpayers to foot the bill for the destruction of perfectly good firearms as well,” state Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, said in a statement. “The inexplicable hatred of guns is taken to a new level with these bills.
“Firearms obtained through buyback usually have some value,” Markkanen added. “But apparently, anything with a trigger component or any chance of shooting is so threatening to Democrats that the only option is to melt them down at taxpayer expense.”
How They Voted
House Bills 6183-6185
Democrat (8 Yeas)
Arbit (D-20); Breen (D-21); Carter (D-1); Dievendorf (D-77); Edwards (D-12); Hope (D-74); Hoskins (D-18); Tsernoglou (D-75)
Republican (5 Nays)
Fink (R-35); Johnsen (R-78); Outman (R-91); Wendzel (R-39); Wozniak (R-59)
House Bills 6144-6146
Democrat (6 Yeas)
Carter (D-1); Conlin (D-48); Shannon (D-58); Rogers (D-41); Wegela (D-26); Xiong (D-13)
Republican (4 Nays)
Bezotte (R-50); Markkanen (R-110); Martin (R-68); St. Germaine (R-62)