The Republican-controlled Michigan Senate was poised Tuesday to begin passing legislation to let people with extra training carry guns inside churches, schools and other places now off limits.
The bills were expected to be approved by a committee Tuesday, two days after a gunman killed 26 people at a Texas church. The full chamber planned to vote as early as Wednesday. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed legislation in 2012 that would have allowed concealed pistol license holders with additional training to carry in gun-free zones.
"Anybody who wants to exercise their right to protect themselves and have a firearm should be able to do that where they need to," said Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof of West Olive, a sponsor of the main measure. Gun-free zones, he said, are a "target-rich environment." He said while he had already planned to hold the hearing this week, the Texas shooting reinforced the need to proceed.
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