As it stands now federal and state laws say you can’t bring a weapon into what’s called a “sterile area” at an airport. But the definition of a sterile area that the state used was removed in 2001.
This created a loophole where people could bring weapons into airports with little consequence.
Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, says his bill will define a sterile area as any place behind a government check point.
“We want to make sure that the law is correct because we want prosecutors to have all the tools in the tool box if a really bad person tries to enter an airport who does not have a license to carry and has ill intent,” Jones says.
Jones says thousands of people in Michigan accidentally bring weapons into airports each year.
In August, Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, was ticketed for bringing an unregistered handgun to the Pellston Airport. Jones says this bill has nothing to do with that incident.
Chatfield could not be reached for comment, but Jones says he supports the bill.
If the bill passes it would make what Chatfield did a felony.
