Gun bill questions go unanswered

Why?

Why would a young man enter a school and kill 20 children and the adults who sought to protect them? What, if anything, can be done to stop America’s recurring nightmare with public massacres at the hands of crazed shooters.

Those are nearly universal questions across America now. Questions made even more timely in Michigan with new concealed carry legislation now awaiting either Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature or veto.

The legislation’s sponsor, state Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, worked for months to win approval for the changes that would allow the carrying of concealed weapons into formerly “gun-free” zones such as schools, bars and hospitals. Sen. Green earned his legislative victory literally hours before the Newtown Massacre last Friday.

In response to Newtown, Michigan education groups on Monday stepped up their previous opposition and are calling on Snyder to use his veto. Meantime, gun-rights activists like former state senator and Tea Party activist Jack Hoogendyk point to Newtown as clear reason for more gun freedoms. “ We advertise ‘Gun free School Zones’ so these nuts know where to go to not get shot back at,” Hoogendyk blogged.

On Monday, Bridge reached out to the Snyder administration to propose a Q&A column. Our view: However the governor decides this very hot potato on his desk, citizens on both sides of the issue deserve a detailed explanation. We also proposed a Q&A with Green – an opportunity for him to outline his thinking behind his legislation both before and after Newtown. Both leaders declined our requests, which, admittedly, came with little warning. (Nor did Newtown, of course.)

An aide to Green said Monday that they were fielding only "technical questions" and that the senator had made a statement regarding Connecticut and that they were "moving forward."

While declining our Q&A request, Sara Wurfel, the governor’s press secretary, did provide a window into the ongoing discussions in the Governor’s Office. She said the governor has concerns about the inability of schools and other public entities to “opt out” of the provision on allowing concealed weapons – a concern that has been exacerbated by the shootings in Connecticut:

“One of the issues that had been raised earlier was on the ability of not just private, but with public entities, and not just schools, but other facilities as well, to have the locals determine (the rules), she said. “This was going to be one of the items that would have a careful review. Then Friday happened.”

Wurfel added that Snyder had directed his team to do a full review of how this would affect mental health issues, school safety issues and a “whole holistic approach.”

Asked why the governor, if he saw a fundamental flaw in the bill, didn’t just veto it and ask the Legislature to begin anew, Wurfel made two points:

* As written, it would change state law that now allows for the open carry of weapons in schools.

* The Legislature, in passing the measure, obviously feels strongly about the issue.

Wurfel added that citizens wishing to share their views with the governor may send a note via rick.snyder@michigan.gov.

Here are the questions we posed to the governor Monday – questions we’ll continue to pose:

1. What do you plan to do with Senate Bill 59?

2. If you favor the bill and are going to sign it, could you walk our readers through how improved gun laws can help deter or stop such events?

3. Specifically, can you outline why you think it is important for people with CCW permits to have the right to carry guns in schools? And, can you outline how you expect that particular provision to play out?

4. Has there been anything reported from events in Connecticut that has affected your thinking on this particular change or other changes you see as necessary to Michigan carry laws?

5. Naturally, emotions are running very high right now. One open letter on Facebook aimed at you on the day of the Newtown tragedy stated: “Please, PLEASE, PLEASE do not sign the bill. As the parent of two small children I am heartbroken as to what happened today. I do never want to be that parent. I never want anyone I know to be that parent. I never want anyone I have not, nor will ever meet to be that parent. And this law would make it possible for that to happen. Please don't. Just please.” If you had five minutes face-to-face with the writer of that letter, what would you say to her?

7. What, if anything, can or should be done to keep guns out of the hands of the kinds of individuals who have done what they’ve done in Aurora (Colo.), Oregon and Newtown this year? How do we reconcile the freedoms of the Second Amendment with the reality of disturbed, but not hospitalized, individuals in our midst?

8. As you are no doubt aware, public opinion on gun control has been trending toward a reduction in government regulation. At the same time, polling is finding that fewer Americans actually have weapons in their homes. What do you make of these trends, and what, if any impact should they have on Michigan's carry laws?

Questions for Sen. Mike Green

1. You've been working on changes to Michigan's carry laws for some time. What was the impetus for this?

2. As we all saw last week in Connecticut, gun violence can happen in any public venue. Could you walk our readers through how improved gun laws can help deter or stop such events?

3. Specifically, can you outline why you think it is important for people with CCW permits to have the right to carry guns in schools? And, can you outline how you expect that particular provision to play out?

4. Has there been anything reported from events in Connecticut that has affected your thinking on this particular change or other changes you see as necessary to Michigan carry laws?

5. Naturally, emotions are running very high right now. Consider, for example, this letter to Governor Rick Snyder posted on Facebook on the day of the Newton tragedy: “Please, PLEASE, PLEASE do not sign the bill. As the parent of two small children I am heartbroken as to what happened today. I do never want to be that parent. I never want anyone I know to be that parent. I never want anyone I have not, nor will ever meet to be that parent. And this law would make it possible for that to happen. Please don't. Just please.” If you had five minutes face-to-face with the writer of that letter, what would you say to her?

7. What, if anything, can or should be done to keep guns out of the hands of the kinds of individuals who have done what they’ve done in Aurora, Oregon and Newtown this year? How do we reconcile the freedoms of the Second Amendment with the reality of disturbed, but not hospitalized, individuals in our midst?

8. As you are no doubt aware, public opinion on gun control has been trending toward a reduction in government regulation. At the same time, polling is finding that fewer Americans actually have weapons in their homes. What do you make of these trends, and what, if any impact should it have on Michigan's carry laws?