LANSING, MI - A package of bills that would allow Michiganders to carry concealed weapons without a permit passed the House of Representatives in June, but Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, says the timing isn't right to run it in the Senate.

The bills House Bill 4416-4419, strike the requirement that Michiganders have a license to carry a concealed weapon. People banned from possessing firearms would be banned from carrying them as well. The bills also reduce penalties for certain infractions relating to carrying a pistol without proper identification or disclosure as well.

The main bill in the package, House Bill 4416, passed the House 59-49. From there they were referred to the Senate Government Operations committee, which Meekhof controls.

Meekhof, who often carries a concealed gun himself, said he hasn't spoken with the governor about the bills, but "I'm sensing his reluctance to do anything with firearms."

He sees the bill perhaps advancing at a later date as part of another deal.

"The timing isn't right yet, maybe is the right way to say it," Meekhof said.

Anna Heaton, a spokeperson for Snyder, said the governor did not yet have an opinion on the bill but would review the final version if or when it reached his desk.