Politics & Government

Snyder Vetoes Concealed Weapons Bill After Newtown Tragedy

The Michigan governor cites loophole in bill that would have allowed concealed weapons in gun-free zones such as schools and sports arenas.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have allowed concealed weapons into public schools and sports arena.

Citing a loophole in the bill that prevented individual organizations from prohibiting concealed weapons on the premises, the Detroit Free Press reported that Snyder nixed the bill in a letter to lawmakers late Tuesday afternoon. The State House passed Senate Bill 59 just hours before Friday's tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT.

Snyder didn't mention the massacre in his letter, but no doubt felt pressure from in the days following the tragedy.

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“I believe that it is important that these public institutions have clear legal authority to ban weapons from their premises,” Snyder wrote, according to the Free Press. “Each is entrusted with the care of a vulnerable population and should have the authority to determine whether its mission would be enhanced by the addition of concealed weapons.”

“Gov. Snyder is making the right call by rejecting this dangerous legislation,” said Zack Pohl, executive director of Progress Michigan, the Free Press reported. “This is a victory for school safety and common sense. We need more math and science teachers in our classrooms, not more guns."

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