House panel hears lawmaker’s measure eliminating CPL renewal fee

State Rep. Brad Paquette today testified before the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee in support of his plan eliminating the concealed pistol license (CPL) renewal fee, allowing more Michiganders to afford their right to bear arms.

Under Paquette’s plan, the $115 CPL holders pay every five years to renew their license would be eliminated. The Niles lawmaker said the state’s cost-prohibitive CPL renewal requirement creates an unnecessary financial barrier that could prevent low-income Michiganders from obtaining a permit to carry concealed.

“The right to defend self should not be infringed and these renewal fees are financially burdensome,” Paquette said. “Between the cost of a CPL training course, initial licensing fees, renewal fees and a firearm, the amount citizens have to pay for the ability to defend themselves is just too high.”

House Bill 5098 remains in the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee for further consideration.