The drop in the violent crime rate in Michigan between now and November, 2002 will pretty-well decide the vote over this law, if they can even get it on the ballot:
<<Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Concealed Weapons Law
Friday, June 29, 2001
LANSING, Mich. — A law that will make it easier to get a concealed weapons permit can take effect Sunday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Friday.
In a 4-3 decision, the state's highest court ruled that the $1 million appropriation that the Legislature added to the law prevents it from being subject to a statewide vote in the 2002 election.
A group opposed to the new law, People Who Care About Kids, collected 230,000 signatures to prevent the law from taking effect until it's approved by voters in a referendum. But gun rights advocates argued that the Michigan Constitution prevents budget bills from being the subject of a referendum.
The high court's opinion overturned a ruling by the Court of Appeals, which said the law could be subject to a referendum because the daily operations of the Michigan State Police don't depend on the $1 million in the law. The Legislature had appropriated the money to the State Police for enforcement of the law.
Opponents of the law will be able to collect signatures for a ballot initiative, which would allow them to put a revised version of the law on the 2002 ballot. At that point, voters could decide whether to keep the law.
The concealed weapons law requires county gun boards to issue concealed weapons permits to anyone over 21 who has no history of felonies or mental illness. Right now, gun boards issue permits only if permit-seekers can prove a need to carry a concealed weapon.
The new law also will require those convicted of a misdemeanor to wait three years before receiving a permit. Those convicted of a more severe misdemeanor, such as drunken driving, will have to wait eight years before receiving a permiT.>> |
