Former U.S. Reps. Dave Trott and Fred Upton, both Republicans, called on policymakers to pass the gun safety package that has been introduced in Michigan’s legislature.
“As strong supporters of the Second Amendment and proud Republicans, we feel it is our duty to come out in support of this legislation,” they said in a joint statement published Tuesday.
“Students, educators and parents in Michigan have suffered through multiple mass shootings in the past fifteen months, and Michiganders deserve action,” Upton and Trott wrote. “This common-sense gun safety reform will save lives by getting illegal guns off our streets while helping law enforcement protect our families. It will keep students, victims of domestic violence and families safe. We must directly address the causes of violent crime that have become all too common in our cities, in schools and in everyday life — these bills do just that.”
Democrats in Michigan’s legislature introduced an 11-bill package the week before last that includes requirements that guns are stored securely when unattended, universal background checks for all firearms purchases and a “red flag” law, which allows courts to temporarily seize firearms from a person deemed a threat to themselves or others.
“I don’t think it’s a partisan issue,” Trott told MLive. “We owe it to our kids and in our seniors and in our families to try something that may make a difference.”
Related: Michigan Senate introduces gun reform bills in wake of MSU shooting
The bill package came days after a mass shooting at Michigan State University where three students were killed and another five critically injured. Investigators said the suspect in the shooting, 43-year-old Anthony McRae, had no apparent connection to the university and no clear motive has been disclosed. He reportedly took his own life before he could be apprehended by police.
In an interview, Upton pointed to red flag laws in other states — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed one into law after the 2018 Parkland shooting — as examples of support for the policy under Republican leadership. Then-Vice President Mike Pence had touted Indiana’s law as a model shortly after that shooting.
“If it was good enough for Pence and DeSantis, it ought to be good enough here in Michigan,” Upton said in an interview. “It’s just another tool in the toolbox to prevent these tragedies from occurring.”
Related: Michigan may soon enact red flag laws. Implementation could make all the difference.
Trott said he already spoke with 17 Republicans legislators and who were “very open to having the discussion,” and expressed hope there will be room for amendments. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, Trott said, had asked for his help to drum up support.
“Obviously it’s a question of whether they can hold the Democratic majorities together to pass those bills, but I think some of them will pass with bipartisan support,” Trott said.
Upton said he’ll be testifying on the package at a committee meeting in the legislature Wednesday. Trott hopes to testify at some point in the future.
Republicans leaders in the legislature, where Democrats hold slim majorities, have not received the proposals positively. Great Lakes Gun Rights, an affiliate of the National Association for Gun Rights, has promised to start a recall election against any member that votes in favor of the package. It’s one of several growing organizations that take a more hardline stance on firearms legislation than the largest group, the National Rifle Association.
Trott acknowledged Republican legislators are probably feeling political pressure not to budge.
“What they are concerned about is outside money directed by the NRA to take the member out in the primary,” Trott said, using the National Rifle Association as an example. “And beyond that, the communication to the NRA membership, all of whom vote come rain or shine or snow, that this person is not the right person in the primary.”
Throughout their tenures, Upton and Trott remained relatively moderate even as Congressional Republicans became more conservative as a whole. Trott served two terms in the U.S. House beginning in 2015, but opted not to seek reelection in 2018. Upton represented southwest Michigan for 35 years before retiring rather than seek reelection in 2022. Redistricting would’ve likely forced him to face U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga in a primary.
Upton ran afoul of a hardline group in his final term in Congress, when he cosponsored bipartisan legislation that’d allow law enforcement to use the AMBER alert system for active shooter situations, so people could be alerted of the emergency by cell phone. While the National Rifle Association took a neutral stance, the Gun Owners of America called it an “anti-gun propaganda program” and the legislation died under a filibuster threat in the U.S. Senate, where 60 voters are needed to survive that tactic.
Neither said they have any interest in running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Debbie Stabenow in 2024.