Michigan governor vetoes gun bill

Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed legislation Thursday that would have let some people subject to personal protection orders obtain a concealed pistol license.

In a veto letter to the Republican-led Legislature, Snyder said that while he thought the legislation contained provisions on gun rights that he backs, the cumulative effect had a worrying effect for domestic violence prevention efforts.

“While the bills include a number of reforms I support, they also include changes to the concealed pistol licensing requirements that may increase the risks of violence and intimidation faced by victims of domestic abuse who seek protection in court,” he wrote.

The legislation would have abolished county concealed weapon licensing boards and transferred their duties to county clerks or law enforcers — a change the Republican governor supports.

But he agreed with gun control and anti-domestic violence advocates who had criticized a provision that would have allowed subjects of protection orders to get a concealed weapon permit unless the order specifically restricted gun use.

Snyder said victims of domestic violence might not know to ask a judge for a restriction on someone's ability to purchase and possess firearms.

"We simply can't and won't take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation," Snyder said in a statement. "There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it's crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse."

The bills' Republican sponsor, Sen. Mike Green of Mayville, had accused critics of spreading "misinformation" about them and said they would merely make various state laws uniform.

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press