Great Lakes Gun Rights and Michigan Open Carry suing Michigan Legislature on the grounds that the legislature violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights
Lansing, MI – Today, Great Lakes Gun Rights joined with Michigan Open Carry and filed a lawsuit against the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate.
The lawsuit claims that the Michigan House and Senate (defendants) have intentionally violated the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of both groups by refusing to let pro-gun testimony be heard in legislative committee hearings regarding new gun control laws in Michigan.
“Suppressing speech is just as illegal and unconstitutional as passing these heinous gun control bills,” said Brenden Boudreau, Executive Director of Great Lakes Gun Rights, “That’s why we’re exercising our right to sue the legislature and hold them accountable for trampling over the gun rights and speech rights of law-abiding Michiganders. This level of blatant corruption cannot be allowed to stand.”
The lawsuit also explains that the legislature has violated the Michigan Open Meetings Act and, “are unquestionably favoring the speech of those who support their political positions while suppressing the speech of those who are critical, are based on the viewpoint of the speech they are discriminating against…”
“We were repeatedly denied the opportunity to testify in public hearings before our elected officials – the officials who work for us,” said Tom Lambert of Michigan Open Carry. “No legislative body is allowed to supersede our natural rights which are affirmed in the U.S. Constitutional and Michigan law itself. Our lawsuit plainly explains the unconstitutional actions which took place, and what we’re asking the court to do to rectify the injustices that were carried out by legislators in the House and Senate.”
“The legislature is a place for debate and testimony, not a place for scripted theater. Imagine if there was a bill to limit racial profiling and only police unions were allowed to testify?” Lambert concluded.
Great Lakes Gun Rights and Michigan Open Carry (plaintiffs) are:
- Asking the court for, “an emergency hearing on their request for a Preliminary and Permanent Injunction”
- “Enter judgement declaring Defendants in violation of the Open Meetings Act as outlined above…”
- “Issue a Preliminary and Permanent Injunction against Defendants compelling compliance with the Open Meetings Act and/or enjoining further noncompliance…”
Great Lakes Gun Rights is the fastest-growing no-compromise gun rights advocacy organization in the state of Michigan. Visit www.greatlakesgunrights.org to learn more.
Contact:director@greatlakesgunrights.org
Phone: 616-219-0918
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