House Republicans on Tuesday introduced legislation to expand gun rights for concealed pistol license holders.

“Individuals who are licensed to carry concealed weapons undergo additional training, screening, and education,” state Rep. Mike Hoadley, R-Au Gres, said in a statement. “Not only are these some of our safest and most law-abiding citizens, they’re also the most capable to take down a threat if one arises.”

Hoadley introduced House Bill 4213 on Tuesday to exclude CPL holders from restrictions in gun-free zones, which includes places like schools, child care facilities, sports arenas, bars, churches, and college dorms.

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Currently, Michigan CPL holders can carry firearms openly in those areas, but are prohibited from carrying their weapons concealed.

Those who violate the law are subject to the immediate seizure of their firearm, a $500 fine, and the suspension of their CPL for six months. A second offense is a 90-day misdemeanor that comes with a $1,000 fine and permanent revocation. A third offense is a four-year felony, $5,000 fine, and permanent revocation, according to Michigan.gov.

“Over 96% of mass shootings are in gun-free zones,” Brenden Boudreau, executive director for Great Lakes Gun Rights, told The Midwesterner. “Gun-free zones are criminal magnets, it’s where a criminal can go knowing his victims are unarmed.

“We actually have killers who have revealed in their manifesto that they specifically targeted a gun-free zone because they knew they would not meet resistance,” he said, adding HB 4213 is “something we support.”

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If approved, Hoadley contends HB 4213 would help curb gun violence and crime by providing a deterrent for criminals in gun-free zones.

“Bad actors and those looking to do harm don’t abide by the laws and limitations of gun-free zones,” he said. “Having trained gun owners in these zones, many of whom are veterans and former law enforcement officers, makes these zones safer. These individuals are best suited to defend themselves and those around them immediately, rather than waiting for first responders.”

The legislation follows about four months after Senate Democrats approved two bills – Senate bills 857 and 858 – during the 2024 lame duck session to ban concealed weapons in the Michigan State Capitol, Anderson House Office Building, and Binsfeld Senate Office Building in Lansing.

The bills aimed to codify a ban on weapons inside the capitol adopted by the Michigan Capitol Commission in 2023, and similar measures imposed by Democratic legislative leaders for the legislative office buildings, though the latter only applies to staff, not lawmakers or the general public.

Great Lakes Gun Rights, Michigan Open Carry and other gun rights advocates noted at the time SB 858 included language that would have made it illegal for CPL holders to carry in thousands of places where they’re currently allowed.

“This isn’t about gun safety,” GLGR wrote in a post to X. “This isn’t about going after criminals. This is about making self-defense virtually illegal in Michigan.”

The pushback from gun rights advocates forced Senate Democrats to address the language in the media, with Sen. Dayna Polehanki, D-Livonia blaming the attempt to eliminate the CPL exemptions on a drafting error, The Detroit News reports.

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, a Porter Township Republican running for governor, suggested the ordeal was actually a “last ditch effort by lame duck Democrats to essentially ban concealed carry across the state.”

SBs 857 and 858 cleared the upper chamber on party-line votes of 20-16, with two senators not voting. The bills were referred to committee in the House, but ultimately died during a chaotic lame duck session.

Voters elected a Republican majority in the House in November, ending the first Democratic government trifecta in Michigan in 40 years, though Democrats continue to hold a slim majority in the Senate.