Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed two bills related to guns on Thursday that were supported by the National Rifle Association and the state's House and Senate.
Snyder, a Republican, received the NRA's support during his successful campaign for a second term last fall. His reason for denying the legislation were claims that they could put victims of domestic violence at risk.
"We simply can't and won't take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation,"
Snyder said in a press release. "There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it's crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse."
The legislation would have changed the guidelines for obtaining a permit to carry a concealed pistol. There are currently 83 county-level boards, according to the release, that issue those permits. The new law would have removed those boards and given issuing power to county clerks and the Michigan State Police.
One of the two bills Snyder vetoed had a clause that would have allowed people with a personal protection order against them to obtain a concealed pistol permit. The current law does not allow that to happen.
Snyder mostly supported both bills, but his concerns for victims of domestic abuse made up his mind.
The NRA was not satisfied with Snyder's decision.
"The fact is that this bill would have provided victims of domestic violence increased protections against would-be abusers, while protecting our constitutional rights of self-defense and due process," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action,
according to The New York Times.
The NRA urged its members on Tuesday to contact Snyder to argue that the bills be passed,
according to CNN.
"Simply put, if an individual is a domestic-abuser and has been charged or convicted as such, or a judge has made a determination that the individual should not be allowed to purchase or possess a firearm, that person will be prohibited from receiving a concealed pistol license under [the bill]," the NRA said in the CNN story. "No exceptions."
Several lawmakers, on the other hand, argued for the bill to be vetoed. In that group was former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011.
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