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Legislation making it easier for gun owners to transport certain firearms on private land is moving forward in Lansing.
The bill was sponsored by State Representatives Beau LaFave and Greg Markkanen and would allow uncased, loaded long-barreled guns to be transported on private land using any kind of vehicle. The same regulations already apply to pistols, crossbows and slingshots.
Any person transporting a loaded long-barreled firearm under current Michigan law could be imprisoned up to 90 days and fined up to $500. The UP lawmakers say the new plan removes this violation.
“This legislation makes clear that private property rights should not be trampled on,” said LaFave. “It gets government out of the way and brings uniformity to pistol- and long-barreled firearm regulations.”
“This is good criminal justice reform,” said Markkanen. “As this bill continues along the legislative process, we continue to come closer to making sure those transporting their own firearms on their own private property are not subject to excessive punishments such as jail time. The law is not practical the way it is currently written. It’s a loophole that can harshly impact citizens.”
LaFave testified in support of the legislation arguing that the change would be beneficial to responsible, law-abiding citizens–notably farmers looking to better protect their livestock and hunters with disabilities.
The bill was advanced Tuesday by the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee. It now heads to the House Judiciary Committee, where LaFave serves as vice-chair.
The committee also unanimously voted to advance a bill to reduce a CPL license expiration offense from a felony to a civil infraction.
