Rep. Opsommer offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 73.

            A concurrent resolution to express Michigan's support for the right to bear arms prescribed by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and to encourage the United States Supreme Court to rule that any infringement on this right should be subject to the highest level of constitutional scrutiny.

            Whereas, The Second Amendment does not simply provide for a collective right or a right for the states to establish militias, rather, it provides for an individual right to bear arms. The primary purpose of this individual right to bear arms is to protect one's self, family, and possessions from either the private lawlessness of other persons or the tyranny of government. Secondarily, this right is also meant to protect the general private uses of firearms in activities such as hunting and other sporting activities; and

            Whereas, In the recent federal court case Shelly Parker, et al. v. District of Columbia, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down a firearm ban for reasons based on the Second Amendment and explicitly ruled that this amendment protected an individual right to possess firearms for private use. The Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear this case and now has the opportunity to definitively assert the existence of an individual right to bear arms and to apply strict scrutiny to legislation that would infringe upon this right; and

            Whereas, The Supreme Court has the opportunity not only to establish sound constitutional principles but also promote positive public policy. Studies demonstrate that firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens deters criminals and reduces the crime rate. Firearms can also encourage recreational and sporting activities. Finally, an armed citizenry can not only serve to restrict a tyrannical government at home but also prevent invasion from abroad; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we express Michigan's support for the right to bear arms prescribed by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and to encourage the United States Supreme Court to rule that any infringement on this right should be subject to the highest level of constitutional scrutiny; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the members of the United States Supreme Court, President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.