The Citizens League for Self-Defense plans to hold a "Constitutional Carry" rally in Lansing on May 19.
Their goal is to strip the laws in Michigan that limit a person's ability to carry a concealed handgun.
They're also organizing a petition drive.
The rally comes as Michigan lawmakers debate legislation that would allow permit holders to carry concealed handguns in places where concealed guns are currently off-limits under the law, such as sports stadiums, churches, and schools, so long as they get extra training.
MLive's John Barnes reports, "organizers of the rally would like to take that a step further":
“We feel that the political climate is getting right for being able to recognize constitutional carry in Michigan,” said John Roshek, president of the Citizens League for Self Defense. “The goal of the rally is to get Michigan to be the fifth constitutional carry state in the country.”
Currently Alaska, Arizona, Vermont, and Wyoming allow the carrying of concealed firearms without restrictions.
The Citizens League for Self-Defense says the constitution is clear:
The 2nd Amendment is clear, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. It does not state "Unless you have a license or permission". Until our 2A rights are restored nationwide we support CPL's for the purpose of reciprocity with other states, but they should not be a requirement to carry a concealed pistol.
The amendment states:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
And here's how that amendment has been interpreted over time from FindLaw.com.
*Correction - an earlier post was titled "Organizers hope to make Michigan sixth 'Constitutional Carry' state." We changed it to "fifth" to reflect states that have no restrictions. Depending on how you count, some count Montana in the group. We also clarified language pertaining to "gun free zones" in Michigan.
