Michigan Approves Shall-Issue Ccw Law

Guns Magazine, April, 2001 by Scott Farrell

One more state has been added to the list of those with "shall-issue" concealed carry permit laws. In December, Michigan's senate approved a measure which would allow any resident of that state to receive a CCW permit if they are over 21, have no record of mental illness or criminal history, and complete an eight-hour certified firearm safety course.

Needless to say, prior to the bill's passage, anti-gun lobbyists and commentators did their best to convince lawmakers that allowing just anybody to carry a defensive handgun would result in murder and mayhem in the streets. One columnist in the Detroit News postulated: "If the present legislation (passes), any paranoid whacko with enough cash to buy a Saturday Night Special will legally be able to carry it anyplace except schools, sports arenas and saloons."

Fortunately, the state's lawmakers saw things a little differently. The bill passed by a vote of 62 to 39 in the House, and 23 to 13 in the Senate. With the governor's signature, the new shall-issue CCW regulations should go into effect this summer.