Michigan Moves To Make Possession A Crime . . . Of Toy Guns

[alp227]

And the interesting twist here? A REPUBLICAN introduced the bill to do so! From Jonathan Turley's blog:

Michigan legislators are moving to make possession of toy guns a crime. The legislation by members is based on the growing practice of criminals cutting off the orange tips and using the toy guns in crime. This way, presumably, they will go and get real guns for their crimes?

The legislation was proposed by State Senator Republican Rick Jones — and his colleague Burgermeister Meisterburger. Jones says “People are taking imitation firearms that look real, cutting off the orange end and then threatening people.” He points to a recent case where a gang member was killed by an officer after pointing a toy gun at a police officer.

There are various well-based laws that require toy guns to have distinctive markings — and those laws can be strengthened. While I am less concerned about a gang member pointing a toy gun at a police officer (since he was presumably trying to threaten the officer with the fake gun), there are shootings of children that were caused by their pointing real-looking toy guns at officers. Those shootings have declined in the wake of the new laws.

(...)

If the legislation is passed, people who possess these toy guns and use it to commit a felony, would be punishable for up to 18 months behind bars and be subject to fines.

[Scootaloo]

1. I think Jean-Luc sums it up well...

[img][/img]

How... stupid.

[davidthegnome]

2. Today, it's toy guns

Tomorrow it will be toy swords. Then we'd better start taking away toy grenades.

[Glassunion]

3. The actual new text from the proposed bill.

750.234e Brandishing firearm in public; applicability; violation as misdemeanor; penalty.

Sec. 234e.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person shall not knowingly brandish a firearm OR AN OBJECT THAT APPEARS TO BE A FIREARM in public.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A peace officer lawfully performing his or her duties as a peace officer.

(b) A person lawfully engaged in hunting.

(c) A person lawfully engaged in target practice.

(d) A person lawfully engaged in the sale, purchase, repair, or transfer of that firearm.

(3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $100.00, or both.

[TheWraith]

4. Reminds me of New York City.

There, it's a crime to sell anything resembling a toy gun, violations punishable by fines of $5,000 per incident, and they want to double that. Periodically, they get City Council members with nothing better to do (apparently the city has no ACTUAL problems) going out and ranting about the "terrible danger of toy guns". No seriously--that's an exact quote from an NYCC member. Apparently they're worried that kids playing with toy guns will get killed by the police, but it never occurred to them to TELL THE POLICE TO STOP SHOOTING TWELVE YEAR OLDS.

[Glassunion]

5. Bull... NYC does not do that

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/fake_gun_fine_unreal_fdcYUeshHyvth4maEHXrpM
http://council.nyc.gov/html/releases/toy_guns_12_8_09.shtml

Retailer Party City paid a record $500,000 in fines for 800 violations of the city's toy gun law.

Oops...

[burf]

6. According to Business Insider

listed in the most dangerous cities:

#24 Lansing
#2 Detroit
#1 Flint

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-dangerous-cities-2011-5#

The proposed law makes one wonder where the bills author has his head parked.

[alp227]

7. Jones's district is not in those areas rather in W Mich. near Grand Rapids

http://www.misenategop.com/senators/district.asp?District=24

[burf]

9. I was thinking more of where in his anatomy his head is parked. n/t

[Doctor_J]

8. This is not interesting

Republicans want everyone to tote real guns.

[gejohnston]

10. for the moment

only as long as it serves their interests.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

11. Dumbass logic ... "This way, presumably, they will go and get real guns for their crimes?"

Right...

A CRIMINAL who relied on cheap fakes is now going to stop using cheap FAKE GUNS because using that fake gun would be AGAINST THE LAW... instead they will ILLEGALLY obtain real guns used to break the law all in an effort to avoid BREAKING THE LAWS dealing with toy guns.

The stupidity is staggering. >_<

Criminals break laws. This law is a waste of legislature time and taxpayer money. It will accomplish nothing.

[Logical]

12. This is stupid. LOL.....private sales of toy guns will become an issue. :-)