guns

Some democratic state lawmakers want universal background checks for all people looking to own a firearm. They plan to introduce bills in the House and Senate.

A new gun club for women held its first meeting in Traverse City last week. The national organization 'A Girl & A Gun' has only one other chapter in Michigan, located in Portage.

The leader of the Traverse City chapter, Alycia Pollotta, says more than 20 women have already joined. She says the main goal of the meetings is to provide a place to socialize--but there will be competitions, defensive pistol training and practice sessions for members to try out shooting different firearms. 

In the wake of another mass shooting, the state Legislature took up bills to expand the state’s concealed carry laws.

Legislation would let people who get a special license carry a concealed weapon in places where they’re currently banned: places like schools and day cares.

A Manistee Police officer shot and killed a man Tuesday night. Police say 73-year-old Lee Milks threatened the officer with an assault rifle before he was shot multiple times.

Manistee Police are not identifying the officer who shot Milks. Chief David Bachman says the officer was conducting “blight enforcement” on 2nd Street, when he saw an old bus parked in Milks’ backyard.

“He made contact with the owner of the bus and asked to take a look at it," says Bachman. "The guy said ‘sure’ and went back in his house and came back out with a rifle.”

A new bill would allow gun owners to carry a concealed pistol without a permit from the state.  Right now, gun owners have to get a concealed pistol license, which requires taking a gun safety class among other things.

The "constitutional carry" bill is already law in 13 states.

Rep. Triston Cole (R-Mancelona) is one of the bill’s sponsors. He calls it a “freedom issue,” saying law-abiding gun owners shouldn’t need a permit to carry a concealed handgun.

Gov. Rick Snyder is renewing his support for banning openly carrying firearms in Michigan schools.

Right now, people with concealed pistol licenses can legally openly carry in schools. But they cannot carry weapons that are concealed.

  Snyder says banning open carry in schools is something he and lawmakers are discussing.

“I would imagine there’ll probably be ongoing discussion,” he said. “Because, again, open carry in Michigan schools is not a good thing. And most states don’t allow it.”