But Ryan Bates, exec dir of #EndGunViolence #Michigan, said the bill supports a trend of “#extremist” politicians militarizing [fetishizing] #gun culture in the state.

“We have to understand this as part & parcel of threats to our #democracy by extremists,” Bates said. “…This sort of symbol is an attempt to make our political discourse & debate not about how we’re going to make people’s lives better or improve our state but about #threats & #violence.”

#GunFetishism #Republicans #USpol #law

The goal of the new designation is to destigmatize the #AR15, & the people who own them, acc/to a release from BeGole. [??]

“Millions of people across the country & thousands in #Michigan own an AR-15. This distinction recognizes these law-abiding gun owners who are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist or to keep their homes & families safe,” BeGole stated in the release. [AYFKM?]

#AmericanGunEpidemic #GunFetishism #GunViolence #extremism #Republicans #MIpol #USpol #law