State Senate passes firearms dealer bill

The first bill passed this year by the Michigan Senate would change the state’s definition of a “federally-licensed firearms dealer”.

Supporters of the measure say it’s just a technical fix to make state law consistent with federal regulations.

The bill passed easily Thursday with bi-partisan support. But a handful of Democrats voted against it.

State Senator Rebekah Warren said it’s a way to exempt more gun dealers from state regulations.

“I think it is a mischaracterization to call it a ‘clean-up’ or to call it just bringing us into line with federal law. Michigan has always had our own separate law, our own license, our own background checks for a reason. And this is a big, significant change in our policy,” Warren said.

The legislation was introduced last week alongside other gun-related bills. Another would exempt guns and ammunition made, sold, and kept in Michigan from federal regulations.

The bill now goes to the state House.