Local gun store owners view proposed firearm legislation with opposition, indifference

The host of gun control measures ushered through Lansing by Democrats over the last several weeks may not be as swiftly or staunchly opposed in a pro-Second Amendment region like St. Clair County as one may expect.

But they aren’t well supported either — depending on who you ask.

Some don’t want to talk about it. Others are against the measures but don’t separate Michigan’s legislative efforts from the wider firearm discussion perforating the national consciousness in the wake of continued mass shootings, including at Michigan State University on Feb. 23 and Oxford High School in November 2021.

Then, for a few like Marine City Gunsmith owner Jesse White, the latest state legislation — addressing firearms storage, safety literature, and more — just aren’t the forefront of mind.

“I figure when the ATF sends me a letter that the rules have changed, and if there’s something new in effect, I’ll worry about it. Until then, what the hell can I do?” he said in an interview last week. “The people who have gotten elected are in office already, so they’re going to do what they’re going to do. It’s not the only issue on the books.”

A host of bills have passed through the state Senate and House.

One set implements safe storage requirements to shield firearms from minors and penalties for those who fail to follow those rules if a minor obtains a firearm. It also requires gun dealers to include free literature on safe storage with firearm sales.

Another bundle would require an individual to get a license before buying a gun in the state, extending the framework for the licensure of a pistol, specified by a length of 26 inches or less, to that of any firearm.

Other measures address state tax code exemptions related to firearm safety devices.

Although a few of the Democrat-led measures were expected to pass, none had yet appeared before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as of Wednesday.

Basic precautions or too much paperwork?

For the primary Senate bills to pass earlier this month, state Rep. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Township, voted against them.

“The legislation was crafted in response to what happened at Michigan State and Oxford, and those were terrible events, but they’re committed by lawless people,” he said. “And there’s nothing in this passage that specifically would prevent either of those events from happening. I think it’s going to make law-abiding citizens have to jump through more hoops, and in some cases, even put themselves at risk.”

Meanwhile, St. Clair County Democratic Chairman Jim Frank, himself an Army veteran and gun owner, said that “sometimes it’s difficult” knowing how neighbors or Republicans feel about guns and the latest legislative efforts.

But he didn’t think the measures being pushed through now were unreasonable.

“Those are pretty basic, sensible precautions to take when it comes to gun ownership,” Frank said. “If you have someone who has a personal protection order against them or has had problems with their behavior, or that sort of thing in the past, it seems a fairly reasonable thing to delay their ability to access firearms until it can be proven that they’re going to be law-abiding citizens.”

“There’s nothing here that’s really that dramatic,” he added. “And if you’re a law-abiding person, you’re not going to have any problems with getting a gun.”

Lauwers said he’s had feedback from both sides and understood concerns given the “state of our society.”

“It’s not just guns, of course. In Lansing, we tend to create laws because someone was being hurt. (But) we create laws to make all the honest people prove that they’re being honest, and the dishonest people continue to be dishonest,” Lauwers said. “What comes with that is a loss of liberty and freedom and more paperwork.”

Response to reforms may be as varied as the legislation

Long-time licensed dealer Harry “Arnie” Mikolowski has run Arlene’s Gun Shop on Harsens Island for decades and wagers that, at 87 years old, he may be the oldest still doing so in the state.

When he talks about gun reform, he jokingly cautions, “Don’t think I’m nuts,” before launching into changes he’s seen long term already.

He emphasizes a need to target criminals, who he thinks will “steal the guns or buy them off the streets” regardless of restrictions placed on law-abiding gun owners.

“What is this law going to do any different than I have been doing in 57 years in my gun business? I’ve been doing background checks and background checks. We’ve been doing everything we can possibly do, and yet, they come up with the same laws,” Mikolowski said.

“Do you think that this law is going to be any different?” he added. “No more laws. We’ve got enough of them. Enforce them.”

Better enforcing laws — and addressing mental health needs — was something that Lauwers talked about, too.

Back in Marine City, White remained unphased by the outcome of state gun reform either way, recalling accommodating last year’s federal reform installing a firearms’ delay for 18- to 20-year-olds once so far.

It is what it is, he said, and he hasn't delved too far into the minutia of bills at the state level.

“There seems to be this industry-wide belief that you can’t trust the man. You don’t want the feds finding out anything,” White said. “The point is, though, they’re the ones regulating this entire industry. We’re just following their rules, and the bottom line is that they’re going to start passing rules, and we’re going to follow (even if) you may not like it here and there.”

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Local gun store owners view proposed firearm legislation with opposition, indifference