Legislation watch
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
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2012 House Bill 5544: Revise ban on carrying dangerous weapons
  1. Introduced by Rep. Frank Foster (R) on April 19, 2012, to revise details of which items are banned in the law prohibiting carrying knives “with unlawful intent.” The new language would prohibit an “object designed, manufactured, or intended to be used to cause death or injury.” Among other things this would replace language banning knives with “a blade over three inches in length.” The bill also clarifies that the prohibition does not apply to weapons kept in a person’s home or workplace, or ones being transported between these places and the hunting fields.
    • Referred to the House Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee on April 19, 2012.
      • Reported in the House on December 4, 2012, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
    • Substitute offered in the House on December 6, 2012. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on December 6, 2012.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Greimel (D) on December 6, 2012. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 6, 2012.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Greimel (D) on December 6, 2012, to tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4439, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4439 would expand the “no guns zone” provision of the concealed pistol permit law to include public libraries. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 6, 2012.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Richard Hammel (D) on December 6, 2012, to tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4439, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4439 would expand the “no guns zone” provision of the concealed pistol permit law to include public libraries. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 6, 2012.
    • Amendment offered by Rep. Richard Hammel (D) on December 6, 2012, to tie-bar the bill to House Bill 5360, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 5360 would prohibit legislators and statewide officeholders from applying for or receiving during his or her term a grant from the state that is unrelated to holding office. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on December 6, 2012.
  2. Passed 66 to 43 in the House on December 6, 2012.
    Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

  3. Received in the Senate on December 12, 2012.
    • Referred to the Senate Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Committee on December 12, 2012.

Comments

Re: 2012 House Bill 5544  by Alex Z on February 20, 2013 
This is a ridiculous proposal. My Cub Scout folding knife that was given to me when I was 7 years old and carried to school each day had a blade longer than three inches, and the folding Buck Knife I've carried on my belt daily for almost 20 years has a three and a half inch blade.

Has anyone bothered to make a rational argument for the need of this legislation? Are there any critical thinkers at all in Lansing? What is this going to accomplish beyond the criminalization of non-criminals?

Re: 2012 House Bill 5544  by caffreygregorya on January 30, 2013 
I agree with you.

Re: 2012 House Bill 5544  by Tank Howland on August 31, 2012 
When I first heard of this bill I thought it was out to help us law abiding citizens who wish to carry knives ,but upon further inspection I have come to the conclusion that is not its intended purpose. Instead of allowing more freedom in knife carry use (This bills supposed intended purpose), it would further our restrictions on knives. The phrase “object designed, manufactured, or intended to be used to cause death or injury" can pretty much apply to any knife that is not a multi-tool. Therefore anyone carrying a knife or anyone who turns up into a situation where he must defend his life against a mugger,murderer etc. could be potentially be put in danger of being prosecuted.

See that's part of the problem with bills like this. They try to take away weapons from the criminals ,but they only end up disarming the law abiding citizens who are now at greater risk of not being able to protect themselves in a deadly situation.




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