Michigan State Representative Tim Kelly stated that violent offenders don’t adhere to a personal protection order and could take advantage of a gun-free zone to inflict further pain on the victim. The bill proposing to allow domestic violence and stalking victims to carry concealed weapons in gun-free areas such as schools and churches is brewing controversy.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 85% of domestic violence victims and 76% of stalking victims are women. It’s a big reason why State Rep. Tim Kelly wants to make it legal for victims to be able to carry a concealed weapon into gun free zones, such as schools and churches in order to better protect themselves.
“This would help protect those dropping off kids, picking up kids from perhaps somebody who wants to do harm,” State Rep. Tim Kelly. The bill requires the victim to have filed a personal protection order and they would need a concealed pistol license. Kelly says perpetrators of domestic violence don’t respect gun free places and may target victims.
“These are called criminal empowerment zones, you don’t see when a nut wants to take his own life and several others, you don’t see him run to the police station and you don’t see him go to an army recruiting house, they go to where they know where there is not going to be guns,” said Kelly. However, some domestic violence counselors aren’t on board with the proposed legislation
Read more at: http://wwmt.com/
