Lansing considers fun law allowing guns at churches, day care centers

What issue would motivate a state legislator to author a bill that is likely opposed by nearly three out of four voters?

The answer is a bill to allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons in churches and day care centers, of course.

According to the Macomb Daily, state Sen. Mike Green (R-Mayville) is introducing legislation that would allow CCW holders to carry guns in churches and day care centers, as well as hospitals, bars, and sports venues like Comerica Park or Ford Field.

The proposed law would eliminate local gun boards and give county sheriffs the power to issue CCW permits.

Naturally, a bill allowing guns in churches and giving sheriffs authority to issue CCW permits has the support of religious organizations and local sheriffs. Well, except it doesn’t. The Michigan Sheriffs Association and former Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga, who spearheaded efforts to craft Michigan’s current CCW permit rules, oppose the bill. As does the Michigan Catholic Conference.

The Michigan Catholic Conference has sent more than 500 messages opposing the bill to the Senate from Catholics in the group’s “legislative network.” According to spokesman Dave Maluchnik, the Catholic Conference has received contact from other religious denominations that are equally concerned about those with a carrying-a-concealed-weapon (CCW) permit bringing guns into churches.

Hey look, it’s Mike Green’s own private War on the Catholic Church! Actually, in light of revelations about the Church’s cover-up of pedophile-priests, maybe altar boys should carry guns. Kids living near Penn State, also.

It sure is nice to see Michigan legislators focused on vital issues important to so many in our state. After all, it’s not like there is a new border crossing proposal to worry about. Or ever-rising college tuition costs. Or a crumbling transportation infrastructure. Or countless municipalities and schools districts on the brink of bankruptcy.

No, sir, what Michigan needs more than anything right now is drunk Lions fans packing heat at Ford Field.

Go relentless positive action! -- JW