After mass shooting at university, Michigan GOP lawmakers press to allow concealed carry on campuses

Michigan Republicans are pushing bills aiming to keep anonymous gun and ammunition purchases by credit cards as well as allow individuals with concealed pistol licenses to carry on college and university campuses statewide.

State GOP Rep. Gina Johnsen has introduced a House Bill that if signed into law would prohibit banks and credit card companies from continuing to require Michigan retailers to use specialized codes to label firearms purchases.

Since at least 2022, guns and ammunition purchased with credit cards show a merchant category code approved by the International Organization for Standardization.

And essentially all of major credit card companies – American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa – are or have attempted to adopt the code.

Johnsen said the government or financial companies could abuse the information.

“If there’s a legitimate reason to suspect criminal activity, law enforcement can follow the proper procedures and get a search warrant," she said. "However, we cannot allow companies to pry into the lives of law-abiding citizens or act as government enforcers. We must protect the privacy and rights of responsible gun owners, and not allow intimidation or intrusion into their lives.”

Data from the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners shows the state in May issued nearly 6,400 licenses for a concealed pistol, the most significant monthly increase since June 2021.

The other House bill, aims to allow concealed pistol license holders to carry their firearms on college and university campuses.

The bill follows a February shooting at Michigan State University that killed three students and wounded five others.

“Law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to carry on college campuses,” Johnsen said. “Everyone deserves the right to protect themselves and others. Disarming responsible individuals only puts lives at risk. By trusting lawful citizens and implementing sensible policies, we can create a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff.”

State law bans even those with concealed pistol licenses from carrying on school property, at child care centers, in sports arenas, bars where liquor is the primary source of income, places of worship, entertainment facilities with a seating capacity of more than 2,500, hospitals, college universities, and casinos.

The bill, if passed by the House and Senate and signed into law, would threaten financial institutions with a $10,000 fine per violation.

Neither of the bills has yet to get a final floor vote and face long odds of getting signed into law consider the Legislature and governor's office are controlled by Democrats.