Michigan's concealed pistol law - 10 years later | News

WYOMING, Mich. (WZZM) - On July 1, it will be ten years since the Michigan Concealed Pistol Law took effect, and currently 270,000 state residents have a permit to carry a pistol.

"I feel much better about going out in public," says permit holder Mike Visser at Silver Bullet Firearms in Wyoming. "I feel I am able to take an active role in the safety of my family and prevent and sort of violent attack."

The concealed pistol law makes Michigan a "must carry" state.

It means anyone who wants a concealed pistol permit can have one if they are 21 years old, are a U.S. citizen and Michigan resident, complete a pistol safety course and are not accused or convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors.

"Concealed pistol licensees are among the most law abiding citizens in Michigan," says Steve Dulan of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners.

The coalition lobbied the legislature to pass the law ten years ago.

Dulan say it's working the way they expected it would.

"What hasn't happened were all these predictions of blood in the streets and shootouts at the 'OK Corral' and all the doom and gloom that was in the public debate," he says. "Those of us who have concealed pistol licenses are a positive effect in society. We don't commit crime and we probably deter crime."

Most who have or want a concealed pistol permit say they hope they never need to use their gun in self defense.

But they say they are prepared to pull the trigger.

"Because the last thing you want to do is pull a gun and not be able to do it," says permit holder Mark Dopke.

"If you are not prepared you shouldn't have a gun," says pistol owner Claire Whitmore. "If you have a gun it's not to wave around and threaten."

"I know a couple of people who had to use their firearm in self defense," says Visser. "It is a terrible thought they have to live with for the rest of their life.  But they knew it was either them or the bad guy. They had to do it to save their life."