House Government Operations Committee Chairman Brian BeGole is standing up for law-abiding gun owners in Shiawassee, Genesee and Saginaw counties by stopping legislation that would curtail their rights.

A pair of recently introduced legislative packages that were referred to the Government Operations Committee, House Bills 5741-54 and HBs 5758-60, would threaten firearm owners with criminal penalties, establish more waiting periods and weapon-free zones, impose burdensome mandates on small business owners, install confusing regulation, and more.

“These bills try to double down on work Democrats have already done to impose sweeping anti-Second Amendment laws,” said BeGole, of Antrim Township. “The answer to tragedies we have seen is not more laws that curtail our rights. A criminal wouldn’t respect a gun-free zone, but law-abiding gun owners who want to legally protect themselves will be expected to follow them or face legal ramifications if they don’t. More regulations also make it more likely someone unknowingly breaks a law.

“Law-abiding gun owners are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist, to hunt, or to keep their homes and families safe. I won’t stand for proposals that infringe on our Constitutional rights, and that’s why these bills won’t see the light of day in our committee.”

BeGole has consistently been an advocate for law-abiding gun owners during his time in the House. He previously voted against Democrat measures that created universal firearms licensing and additional surveillance mechanisms.