Gov. Snyder Vetoes Gun Bill With Protection Order Change

By DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press

LANSING (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed legislation Thursday that would have let some people subject to personal protection orders obtain a concealed pistol license.

In a veto letter to the Republican-led Legislature, Snyder said the bills "may increase the risks faced by victims of domestic abuse."

The legislation would have abolished county concealed weapon licensing boards and transferred their duties to county clerks or law enforcers - a change the Republican governor supports.

But he agreed with gun control and anti-domestic violence advocates who had criticized a provision that would have allowed subjects of protection orders to get a concealed weapon permit unless the order specifically restricted gun use.

Snyder said victims of domestic violence may not know to ask a judge for a restriction on someone's ability to purchase and possess firearms.

"We simply can't and won't take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation," Snyder said in a statement. "There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it's crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse."

The bills' Republican sponsor, Sen. Mike Green of Mayville, had accused critics of spreading "misinformation" about them and said they would merely make various state laws uniform.