Michigan and Hawaii recently advanced tip-off lines aimed at preventing gun violence, but Second Amendment advocates say these efforts can be used as a weapon against law-abiding citizens. It warns that this is a possibility.
On Thursday, Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the education funding bill into law. – Except for allocating funds to establish an anonymous tip line for students to report improper storage of firearms. According to House Bill (HB) 5503.
Here is the House of Commons Fiscal Office's summary of the school aid funding, which is scheduled to be voted on today.
$125 million for mental health
$1 million for tip line for students who report improperly stored firearms pic.twitter.com/4ScT6Bgw2w— Simon D. Schuster (@Simon_Schuster) September 25, 2024
The bill would allocate up to $1 million in 2024-2025 to establish tip lines in intermediate districts. It also funds the creation of “educational materials” with information on how to report improperly stored guns. (Related article: 'Blatantly unconstitutional': Second Amendment advocates DNC platform bombing as gun control nightmare)
The law defines an “improperly stored firearm” as: violation Michigan Act 372 of 1927, a law regulating the storage of firearms in the presence of minors.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan previously enacted a “safe storage law.” press release In February. The law requires unattended firearms to be “unloaded and locked in a locking device or stored in a locked box or container” if a minor is likely to be present.
Critics said the tip was a hasty amendment to the education bill.
“HB 5503 is an omnibus education funding bill that was amended to include 'tip line' language and quickly passed Congress in a matter of hours,” NRA-ILA said in a written statement. press release.
This week, all but 11 Republican state legislators joined Democrats in voting for a tip that would allow children to report their parents to the government for “improperly” storing firearms.
You are a total failure as a leader. https://t.co/haWcPu0bIQ pic.twitter.com/U78ZYlkKmY
— GreatLakesGunRights (@GLGunRights) September 27, 2024
The organization claimed the program could eventually lead to law enforcement searches, including of people's homes and businesses. (Related: Gretchen Whitmer did something very weird with Doritos and a girl who knelt)
Michigan Republicans denounced the move as an attack on civil liberties.
“This hotline is just another page in the Stasi playbook.” – They are encouraging children to spy on their own families,” said Republican state Rep. Angele Rigas. midwesterner.
Another Republican, state Sen. Thomas Albert, called the amendment a “frivolous provision,” according to the newspaper.
Hotline to report parents
This amendment was inserted today into the conference committee report for the Michigan School Assistance Act (HB 5503 CR-1). The conference committee's report is scheduled for an immediate vote in the House and Senate, with testimony prohibited.
this… pic.twitter.com/qj7rF4nf3z
— Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (@MCRGO_Michigan) September 25, 2024
“This is a dangerous step toward weaponizing children from leftist families and an outrageous overreach by a government masquerading as public safety,” Rigas warned, according to the Midwesterner.
Democratic Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced Wednesday that the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) has established a “gun tip line” where individuals can anonymously report “illegal gun possession and gun crimes.” According to Go to press release. (Related: Hawaii Supreme Court claims 'spirit of aloha' invalidates Second Amendment)
The announcement also encourages people to report the suspect's name, location and firearm description.
🚨Hawaii and Michigan launch tip line to harshly prosecute gun owners
🔗👇https://t.co/YOlDcPmRWF#2A #2nd Amendment
— Guns.com (@Guns_com) October 11, 2024
“The Gun Tip Line provides another way for the public to assist law enforcement in protecting our neighborhoods,” DLE Director Jordan Lowe said in a press release. He said stolen guns, unregistered firearms and “guns in the wrong hands” can lead to crimes.
“So if you see something, please help us make Hawaii safer by sending something to the gun tip line,” Lowe added.
Hawaii's Supreme Court ruled in February that it violates the state's constitutional right to carry firearms, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported.
