RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS MONUMENT

House Bill 4962

Sponsor:  Rep. Leon Drolet

Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 9-19-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4962 AS INTRODUCED 6-16-05

The bill would amend the Management and Budget Act to require the Michigan Capitol Park Commission to place on the Capitol grounds, the plaque honoring the right to bear arms under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and Section 6, Article I of the State Constitution as donated by Brass Roots, a private organization, when sufficient money is received to cover the cost of placement. 

MCL 18.1298c

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill requires the placement of a plaque "when sufficient funds are received to meet the costs of placement."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Constitutional Provisions

Article 1, Section 6 of the State Constitution states: "Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state."

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Brass Roots Plaque

According to its website (www.brassrootsusa.org), Brass Roots has the stated mission of being a "non-partisan organization dedicated to the political defeat of elected officials who offer or support any rule, legislation, or judgment that denies the people of Michigan the exercise of their inalienable right to Keep and Bear Arms."  The organization was founded in 1995 by Jon Coon, a 1994 Michigan Libertarian Party Candidate for the U.S. Senate. 

The website further notes that the plaque is made up of more than 18,000 empty shells collected at a rally at the State Capitol in September 1994 that were melted down and formed into a 4 ft. X 6 ft. plaque inscribed with the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 6 of the State Constitution.  

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                                       

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.