Lawmaker authors measure promoting greater personal freedom

State Rep. Beau LaFave today testified before the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee in support of his plan giving Michiganders greater personal freedom and protecting them from unreasonable prosecution.

LaFave’s measure, House Bill 4331, would allow individuals to transport uncased, loaded long-barreled firearms on private land using any kind of vehicle. The same freedoms are already permitted for pistols, crossbows and slingshots.

Any person transporting a loaded long-barreled firearm under current Michigan law could be imprisoned up to 90 days and fined up to $500. LaFave’s plan would remove this violation, protecting law-abiding citizens from unfair government overreach.

“How I transport my own firearms on my own property is not the government’s business,” said LaFave of Iron Mountain, who chairs the committee. “Private property rights are in place for a reason. Continually unloading and reloading a firearm poses greater risk to safety than simply transporting a loaded gun. It’s ludicrous what you can legally do with a .22 pistol compared to a .22 long rifle when it’s the same bullet. This legislation is common-sense criminal justice reform and brings parity to pistol- and long-barreled firearm regulations.”

LaFave said his plan is beneficial to responsible, law-abiding citizens, including farmers looking to better protect their livestock and hunters with disabilities.

House Bill 4331 remains in the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee for further consideration.

Photo Information: State Rep. Beau LaFave testifies before the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee.