State Rep. Dave Prestin, of Cedar River, recently voted to protect Second Amendment freedoms and the right to privacy from increased government surveillance by voting against House Bills 4138, 4142 and 4143. The legislation requires universal background checks for all firearm transfers and establishes new licensing requirements for hunting rifles and shot guns.
“This plan aims to address the rise in gun violence in Michigan, but completely misses the mark,” Prestin said. “The plan creates a false sense of security for Michiganders, and infringes on the rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners throughout the state without actually doing anything to address the real problem – the rise of violent crime in Michigan.”
Prestin expressed concerns about the chilling effect the legislation could have on hunters throughout the state, as sales of long guns are more heavily scrutinized than ever before. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported last year that the state has lost a quarter of a million hunters over the past generation.
“Hunting is part of our heritage in Michigan, not just a hobby,” Prestin said. “Requiring a background check on every single firearm purchase is impractical and creates unnecessary burdens for law-abiding hunters. It will deter good, honest Michiganders from hunting, or even handing down special firearms as heirlooms – a common practice among gun-owning families.
“We must address the root-cause contributing to the rise in gun violence: improving access to reliable mental health services, enhancing school security, and promoting the nuclear family instead of constantly eroding the American family unit, and its inherent values we grew up learning.”
Despite Prestin’s opposition, Democrats in the House approved the bills with a 56-53, party-line vote. The plan now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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