Lawmakers in Michigan are anticipating a push by the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress for stricter gun control measures. The Republicans in the Michigan state senate passed a resolution saying they will resist any future gun control measures by the federal government. Samuel Dodge reports for Mlive.com, writing:
Michigan senators bickered Wednesday over a resolution that would charge the state with defending the Second Amendment from any future federal gun control measures.
Senate Resolution 22, sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, seeks to “preserve the Second Amendment” by stating that the state Senate would oppose federal laws that “infringe on the right to bear arms.”
In response to their vow to protect the rights of the citizens of Michigan from unconstitutional infringement by the federal government, Democrats called the senators who passed the resolution “insurrectionist.” Dodge continues:
The resolution passed along partisan lines, 20-15, with Democrats uproariously opposing it. Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, called it “insurrectionist.”
“This resolution is four pages of dark, insurrection-laden language and militia support that challenges the laws of this land,” she said on the Senate floor. “It’s a resolution that says that if we don’t like the laws, we’ll meet you at the Michigan border with our guns. It’s incredible how fast you’ll do anything to protect your guns.”
Despite Democrats’ extreme language, Michigan’s Republican senators are simply reaffirming a time-tested check on federal power enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s Tenth Amendment. Dodge writes:
The resolution invokes the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states the federal government only derives power from provisions listed in the Constitution. For everything not listed, state governments maintain power to create laws.
Federal laws that “restrict or prohibit the manufacture, ownership and use of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition exclusively within the borders of Michigan,” would exceed federal authority, the resolution states.
Theis found Geiss’ comments “extraordinarily frustrating” for comparing defense of the Second Amendment to “insurrection.”
“I’m extraordinarily frustrated right now with the use of the word insurrection and conversations about things that the Founding Fathers vested with us with the God-given right to protect ourselves,” Theis said. “We’re going to call this insurrection to uphold that? Our Second Amendment rights not only exist in the U.S. Constitution, but the state Constitution, as well.”
Do your legislators have your rights in mind? Will they protect you? What about your sheriff’s department?
Action Line: If there’s even an iota of doubt in your mind that you live in a state or city that will protect your rights, it’s time to get your guns and your training now.
