I’m sure you’ve seen the headlines already.
Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig has officially announced he is joining the field of Republican candidates seeking to challenge Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer in her bid for reelection next year.
His official announcement has come with a mix of opinion from the gun rights community, as it is not entirely clear how friendly Chief Craig is towards the Second Amendment.
During his time as Detroit Police Chief, he generally expressed support for private ownership of firearms of the city’s residents and has continued to say on the campaign trail already that he supports the Second Amendment.
However, more recently his campaign rhetoric has been more of the flavor of “enforcing the laws already on the books” when it comes to gun control.
Here’s the problem.
As you know, Michigan’s gun control laws are some of the most draconian in the nation.
Michigan is one of only a handful of states to require any form of firearm registration with its de facto pistol registration scheme.
Michigan’s concealed carry laws are some of the most punitive in the country, even worse than the anti-gun bastion of California.
An otherwise law-abiding citizen here in Michigan can become a felon for simply carrying concealed, or in a car, without first obtaining a Concealed Pistol License!
So, if Chief Craig is talking about enforcing these laws already on the books, then there is much concern for gun owners in Michigan that it could be more of the same in Lansing.
You see, I had high hopes that Chief Craig would be a stronger advocate for the Second Amendment, especially after he credited his changing views on gun rights to the time he spent in Portland, Maine, where he saw gun ownership as a way of life in one of the safest states in the country.
But his work as Chief of Police in Cincinnati also raises all sorts of red flags where, according to news station WLWT5, back in 2013, Craig supported a “a ban on gun sales over the internet, the reinstatement of the ban on ‘Assault Weapons’ and a ban on magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.”
He was the Cincinnati Chief of Police AFTER he was Police Chief in Portland, Maine.
Look, it’s entirely possible that his views have changed radically since his time in Cincinnati.
And it’s even possible that he’s become more of a Second Amendment advocate since hitting the campaign trail.
But the fact remains we really don’t know where Chief Craig stands on the most pressing gun rights issues of the day.
Where does he stand on Constitutional Carry? Will he support removing the onerous burdens on the right to carry in the state of Michigan?
Will he support repealing Michigan’s draconian pistol registration scheme?
Will he oppose due process-shredding “Red Flag” Gun Confiscation laws?
Gun owners need to know where he truly stands on these important issues before the campaign season kicks into full gear.
Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before he rolls out his full position on the Second Amendment.
Until then, we can only take him at his previously spoken positions.
The 2022 election cycle is going to be crucial for the future of our gun rights here in Michigan.
With Constitutional Carry sweeping the nation, we can ill afford to waste this perfect opportunity to have every candidate challenging Governor Whitmer in full support of this important legislation.
We’re gearing up for an aggressive campaign to make every candidate take a bold stand in support of your gun rights.
Thank you in advance for your continued support and stay tuned for more updates.
For Freedom,