LANSING — State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) has introduced House Bill 4560, which would amend the Michigan Penal Code to add police stations, with exceptions, to the list of premises where possession of firearms is prohibited. The exceptions include bringing firearms into the station for administrative business and/or when a station opts out by not posting appropriate signage that firearms are prohibited.
This bill is a reaction to the February incident during which two armed men wearing armor and ski masks entered a Dearborn police station and were quickly surrounded by several officers. The men initially failed to comply with police orders and were charged with disturbing the peace and resisting or obstructing a police officer. There have been similar incidents that have occurred across the state.
“I was disturbed by the events I saw in the video of this incident, but I was relieved that nothing tragic occurred due to the Dearborn officers effectively handling the situation,” Hammoud said. “I believe in common-sense gun reforms that protect our communities while upholding the integrity of the Second Amendment; I believe we can do both. I see no reason, aside from administrative business, why a citizen would need to bring a firearm into a police station. This legislation is something that many members of my community asked me to introduce. I am glad to sponsor this bill to protect citizens and officers alike.”
The proposal has the support of the Michigan State Police, the Police Officers Association of Michigan, the Dearborn Police Department and Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr.