CPRC in the News: Detroit News (2), Detroit Free Press, WoodTV (Grand Rapids), Lansing State Journal, and more

While most of the testimony presented Thursday was in favor of the 11-bill package, Nikki Goeser spoke out again the addition of new laws. Goeser’s husband was shot and killed in front of her in April 2009.

“There are currently involuntary commitment laws that already exist in every state in this nation, people just need to use them,” she said. . . .

Meghan Bunchman, “Michigan Senate committee hears testimony on proposed gun reforms,” Wood TV (Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Michigan), March 2, 2023.

John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, spoke against the bills in Lansing Thursday, saying they could lead to more deaths not fewer.

“People use guns defensively to stop violent crimes about five times more frequently each year than they’re used to commit crime,” Lott said. . . .

Riley Beggin, “Michigan senators call for federal gun safety bills after MSU shooting,” Detroit News, March 2, 2023.

Opponents of background check laws and other gun safety proposals introduced in Michigan argue that none of the measures would have prevented the mass shooting at Michigan State. John Lott, president of the pro-gun rights Crime Prevention Research Center, testified in committee gun safety laws aren’t practical because criminals don’t respect laws. . . .

Arpan Lobo, “House votes to expand background checks on gun sales,” Detroit Free Press, March 8, 2023.

John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, spoke against the bills Thursday, saying they could lead to more deaths not fewer.

“People use guns defensively to stop violent crimes about five times more frequently each year than they’re used to commit crime,” Lott said.

The most vulnerable people benefit the most from having guns available for protection, Lott argued. . . .

Craig Mauger, “MSU professor to lawmakers: Pass gun laws to stop ‘senseless killings’,” Detroit News, March 2, 2023 and Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, WA), March 2, 2023.

Dr. John R. Lott Jr., founder of the Crime Prevention Research Center, said Maryland’s laws would be outliers.

“In fact, if you look across the country, there’s no state that adopted a right-to-carry law or a constitutional carry law that’s even had a legislative hearing afterwards to try to undo the law once it’s in place. There’s a lot of concerns and fears about things that might happen but look at the experience to see whether or not it happens or not.” . . .

MICHAEL CHARLES and MICHELLE LARKIN, “Activists gather in Annapolis as hearings begin on gun control,” Capital News Service, February 8, 2023.

Opponents of background check laws and other gun safety proposals introduced in Michigan argue that none of the proposed measures would have prevented the mass shooting at Michigan State. John Lott, president of the pro-gun rights Crime Prevention Research Center, testified in committee gun safety laws aren’t practical because criminals don’t respect laws. . . .

Ken Palmer, “Mother of MSU shooting victim calls for ‘common sense’ gun safety legislation,: Lansing State Journal, March 9, 2023.

Yesterday and today, committees in both chambers held public hearings for a number of anti-gun bills. Despite these being “public” hearings, the committee chairs manipulated the hearings in order to make it seem that public sentiment is one-sided in favor of the bills. A large crowd of Second Amendment supporters took the time out of their schedules to show up, but the House Judiciary Committee cut off testimony after hearing 2.5 hours of just gun control supporters and told anyone else wishing to testify to “come back next week.” The Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee pulled a similar stunt, only allowing two well-known opponents to testify: researcher John Lott and violent crime survivor Nikki Goeser. . . .

Staff, “Michigan: Committees Suppress Opposition to Anti-Gun Bills,” NRA-ILA, March 2, 2023.