Legislator calls proposal a shadow ban on firearms

State Rep. Andrew Fink issued the following statement ahead of Wednesday’s House Judiciary hearing, when the committee will bring up House Bill 6185 for consideration. Fink and other Republicans have spoken out against the bill as an attack on the firearm industry and a means of inhibiting lawful gun ownership:

“This legislation effectively suggests that a manufacturer of a product that Michigan citizens have a constitutional right to use, keep, and own could be held liable for the proper functioning of said product.

“This would be like a car manufacturer being sued for a vehicle being used to intentionally harm another individual. The driver should be responsible for that crime, not the manufacturer. In this case, if a firearm is used for the purpose of committing a crime, it appears to me that this legislation would allow the attorney general or citizen to file an injunction against the manufacturer.

“Firearms are dangerous, and if a person commits a crime using one, they must be held responsible. But to place blame on a manufacturer is senseless. The reality is that this legislation is essentially a shadow ban attempting to eliminate Michigan’s firearms industry. If Democrats want to ban firearms, they should just be open and honest about their intentions.