[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CONCEALED WEAPONS LAW

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I am very disappointed that the Governor 
of Michigan chose to sign a bill that will increase the number of 
concealed weapons on our streets by tens of thousands.
  On New Year's Day, Governor Engler signed into law House Bill 4530, 
which takes discretion away from local gun boards and requires that 
authorities must issue concealed weapons licenses to those who meet 
certain requirements.
  On December 13, 2000, I wrote a letter to the Governor asking him to 
veto the legislation. I asked the Governor to support our law 
enforcement personnel who believe the concealed weapons bill will make 
them and the public less safe. These groups include the Michigan 
Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Police Legislative 
Coalition, which includes the Michigan State Police Troopers 
Association, the Michigan State Police Command Officers Association, 
the Michigan Association of Police, the Police Officers Labor Council, 
Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, Detroit Police 
Officers Association, Warren Police Officers Association and Flint 
Police Officers Association.
  I support the position of law enforcement groups in this matter and I 
believe the people of Michigan do also. Local gun boards should retain 
control of these often life and death decisions.

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