Concealed Pistol License

Two examples of pistols that would be practical for concealment. On the left a .380 caliber automatic and on the right a .22 caliber revolver. Individuals interested in learning more about carrying a concealed weapon recently attended a course required by the State of Michigan to attain a Concealed Pistol License. In order to be considered for a CPL individuals must complete the eight hour course which covers shooting ability, accuracy and safety as well as understanding of laws and other information provided by the NRA. shot: 6/21/11. (photo by Nick Tremmel) Photo available for sale. Please call 231-725-6368.

(Photo by Nick Tremmel)

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced fast-tracked legislation designed to overhaul and streamline the process for obtaining a concealed pistol permit in Michigan.

The two-bill package, introduced earlier the same day, removed controversial language regarding personal protection orders that led Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to veto a previous version this month.

“It’s gone,” Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, said in testimony before the committee.

But Green also defended his earlier legislation, which was approved last year by the Republican-led Legislature before the governor's veto, suggesting opposition that emerged late in the process was driven by misinformation.

“Whenever you try to make changes to legislation of this nature, there’s a whole lot of folks that want less guns, and they’ll look at everything they can to find something wrong that they’re going to disagree with,” Green said. “Frankly, I’m convinced that what we did here will give anybody more protection and defense of themselves.”

The earlier bill would have amended state law by removing language prohibiting anyone who is subject to a personal protection order from obtaining a concealed pistol permit, whether or not the judge specified any gun restrictions.

The provision fueled opposition from national gun control groups — including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and Americans for Responsible Solutions — along with a number of violence prevention advocates who argued it could jeopardize existing protections for victims of domestic abuse or stalking.

Snyder noted the PPO language in his veto letter to lawmakers, saying Michigan “simply can’t and won’t take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation.”

But Green said the language had been included in attempt to reconcile state statute and the revised judicature act. Federal law, he said, prohibits the subject of a PPO from purchasing or possessing firearms following a hearing.

“In a nutshell, certain groups claimed that the addition of language would allow someone with a PPO against them to obtain a CPL,” Green said. “That claim is false. It’s based on a failure to take into account the totality of all state and federal laws addressing PPOs and the possession of firearms.”

The new legislation, like the vetoed version, is designed to speed up the CPL application process by eliminating county gun boards and transferring most responsibilities to county clerks and the Michigan State Police, who support the proposal.

Green said it would “end the eyeball test in discretion” used by county gun boards and require that licenses simply be issued if applicants meet all statuary qualifications, including a background check.

The application process could take no longer than 45 days under the proposal, less than the 60 days intended under current law.

The Michigan Association of Counties was the only group that offered opposition on Tuesday, submitting a card stating its position but not offering testimony.

"We feel this is a local control issue,” Dana Gill, an MAC governmental affairs associate, said in a statement after the hearing. “We believe the current system works appropriately to ensure both access and safety.

The committee advanced the main concealed carry proposal in a 4-0-1 vote. Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, did not vote on Senate Bill 34, which was added to the committee agenda earlier Tuesday, indicating he liked the general direction but wanted more time to discuss it with his local county clerks.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, said Tuesday morning that the upper chamber intends to "move pretty quickly" on the revised legislation.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.