New Poll: 84 Percent of Michigan Gun Owners Support State’s Concealed Pistol License Requirement For Concealed Carry

LANSING, Mich. – Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, today released a new poll conducted by SurveyUSA finding that 91 percent of Michigan adults – including 94 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of Democrats and 84 percent of gun owners – support Michigan’s Concealed Pistol License requirement. The poll comes a day after the House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 4416, dangerous legislation that would eliminate this requirement, letting people carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or safety training.

HB 4416 would lower the bar for who may carry concealed handguns in public in Michigan, allowing certain violent criminals, stalkers and drug offenders to legally carry hidden, loaded handguns throughout the state. More information about HB 4416 is available here.

The poll results (available here) also show strong support for requiring background checks for all gun sales.

The survey consisted of interviews of 1,000 Michigan adults. It found, among other results:

• 91 percent of respondents – including 94 percent of Republicans, 95 percent of Democrats, 84 percent of gun owners and 85 percent of current permit holders – support the state’s Concealed Pistol License – or CPL – requirement for carrying a concealed handgun in public.
  
• 64 percent of respondents said they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supported removing the state’s CPL requirement, compared with 15 percent who said they would be more likely to vote for such a candidate.
  
• 88 percent of respondents – including 89 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 88 percent of gun owners – support requiring background checks for all gun sales.

STATEMENT FROM EMILY DURBIN, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Michiganders overwhelmingly support our Concealed Pistol License requirement because it makes sense. Gutting this requirement would be a reckless move that would let some violent criminals and people with no safety training legally carry hidden, loaded handguns in public throughout Michigan. As our elected officials consider this dangerous proposal, parents like me will be watching to see if they stand up for the gun lobby or for the people of Michigan who are so clearly opposed to this legislation.”