110th Representative Markkanen votes against bills that would destroy firearms purchased in buyback programs

110th district representative Greg Markkanen votes against a plan to destroy firearms purchased by the state in a buyback program while in committee. In a statement on Wednesday Representative Greg Markkanen announced he voted against a plan to require most firearms seized as a part of a buyback program be destroyed. Rather than allowing the Michigan State Police to sell or trade firearms purchased in the program.

Markkanen stated the inexplicable hatred of guns is taken to a new level with these bills. Firearms obtained through buybacks usually have some value. But apparently, anything with a trigger component or any chance of shoot is so threatening to Democrats that the only option is to melt them down at taxpayer expense.

Firearms obtained in municipal or private organization buybacks are turned over to the state police. Under current law, the state law enforcement agency can facilitate a public auction, destroy weapons, use firearms for official purposes, or dispose of them through another lawful manner as permitted by the Michigan State Police Director.

The bill package would amend the Public Acts of 1935, requiring firearms turned over to state police in municipal buyback be destroyed, and amend the state’s firearm licensure act of 1927 and state penal code respectively to align with the amendments. Markkanen expressed state police should continue to consider firearms forfeited to the state as it has, for potential sale, official use, or be destroyed. Adding the amendment will add an unnecessary burden to taxpayers, both purchasing the firearms and destroying items the state could regain some revenue back from.

The package was passed by the House Military Veterans and Homeland Security Committee along party lines. The pack was introduced to the state legislature in November by 33rd district representative Felicia Brabec.

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Rep. Markkanen rejects gun buyback radicalization efforts

Plan to force MSP to fund destruction of firearms procured in buybacks passed House committee on party lines. 

State Rep. Greg Markkanen on Tuesday voted against a plan to require most firearms seized as part of a gun buyback program to be destroyed, an effort that seems to be directly targeted at prohibiting the Michigan State Police from selling or trading firearms obtained through a buyback. The legislation passed the House Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee along party lines.

“Democrats have decided that forcing taxpayers to pay for unwanted guns isn’t enough, now they want taxpayers to foot the bill for the destruction of perfectly good firearms as well,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “The inexplicable hatred of guns is taken to a new level with these bills. Firearms obtained through buyback usually have some value. But apparently, anything with a trigger component or any chance of shooting is so threatening to Democrats that the only option is to melt them down at taxpayer expense.”

Gun buyback programs have become a popular way to get illegally owned weapons off the street. The practice, primarily operated by municipalities and private organizations, usually leads to all firearms obtained through the buybacks being turned over to MSP. Under current law, MSP is permitted to conduct a public auction to facilitate a firearm sale to a legally eligible buyer, destroy the weapons, use the firearms for official purposes, or dispose of them in another lawful manner permitted by the MSP director.

House Bills 6144 – 6146 would require MSP to destroy all weapons voluntarily given to the department, through a buyback program or otherwise.

House Republicans argue that buyback programs, including the destruction of firearms, can be expensive. Auctioning off or finding alternative uses for some firearms can help offset those costs or help boost the bottom line for smaller agencies operating on tighter budgets. Additionally, some firearms obtained through a buyback may be viewed as a collector’s item. So, while they may not be able to be used by a law enforcement agency, collectors may have an interest in unique or antique firearms.

The plan now moves to the full House for further consideration.

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