Michigan House Approves LGBT Protections & Passes Law Expanding Background Checks

The Michigan House approved adding LGBTQ protections to the state’s civil rights law while the Senate repealed a 1931 abortion ban, which already was disarmed by Proposal 3. The House voted 65-45 on House Bill 4003 to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The act prohibits discriminatory practices, policies, and customs based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status. The Michigan House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a measure to expand firearm background checks to include rifles and shotguns. Fifty-six Democrats voted for the bill, while 53 Republicans voted against it. Michigan’s background check requirements apply only to handguns. The law passed Wednesday by the House will, if approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as anticipated, expand background checks for long guns that are sold at gun shows or through private transfers.