Featured photo-Left to right-Michael Jackson, Jon Gold, Maleigha Jackson and Jim Pedersen
Lansing – Michigan gun owners stood up on Thursday, March 2 to praise the three gun violence measures currently pending in the Michigan legislature.
“These proposals are reasonable reforms that will save lives,” said Jon Gold, Michigan President of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety.
“They respect our rights as gun owners and our traditions as hunters,” Gold added. “That’s why they’re supported by the majority of gun owners and even NRA members. We can all agree, for example, that we need universal background checks to stop violent criminals from buying firearms.
Gold is a concealed pistol license holder and a former NRA trained firearms instructor.
Recent polling shows majority support for the proposed measures among gun owners (https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/19/gun-owners-support-safety-policies-00062335) while a poll of NRA members showed strong support for universal background checks (https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/377455-poll-most-nra-members-support-comprehensive-background-checks/).
The proposals are based on extensive feedback from gun owners and law enforcement. For example, the Extreme Risk Protection Order system requires a hearing before a judge before weapons can be temporarily removed, and a gun owner may appeal the ruling. There are escalating penalties for those who abuse the system and file false reports.
“Responsible gun owners already practice the safety measures that will be required under these new bills,” said Jim Pedersen, a substitute school teacher and hunter from Cassopolis.
“For example, we all know to lock up our weapons if we have kids in the home,” Pedersen added. “Safe storage is just common sense that can prevent children from hurting themselves or others.”
After the Republican legislature in Florida enacted a strong safe storage law, youth firearm deaths were reduced by 52%, the majority of which were suicides and accidents.
Gold and Pedersen were joined at the event by gun owner Michael Jackson, and his granddaughter, MSU student Maleigha Jackson.
