By Michael Kransz
mlive.com
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan House has approved harsher penalties for disarming or attempting to disarm a police officer of their firearm.
By a 75-25 vote, the House on Nov. 6 approved legislation that would make the crime a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Currently, the crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
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The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Initially, lawmakers proposed a 20-year maximum sentence. Bill sponsor state Rep. Mike Mueller, R- Linden, said the current 10-year maximum sentence does not match the severity of the crime.
“Anyone who attacks an officer and tries to take their weapon has the intent to kill them,” Mueller said. “When a suspect reaches for an officer’s gun, it’s an attempt to turn the officer’s own weapon against them. We owe it to our law enforcement officers to treat that threat with the seriousness it deserves.”
Mueller, a retired sheriff’s deputy, faced two attempts by suspects trying to disarm him during his career.
“As someone who’s been in that situation, I can tell you it’s one of the most dangerous moments an officer can face,” Mueller said. “My goal is to send a clear message that we will not tolerate violent criminals endangering the lives of the men and women who protect our communities.”
If the bill is passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, taking a weapon other than a firearm from a police officer would remain a four-year felony.
Disarming or attempting to disarm a police officer of their firearm by force would be a 15-year felony.
The existing law applies when a person tries to disarm officers from various agencies, including: federal, state and local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, university and college public safety officers and conservation officers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The legislation would expand that list to include Michigan State Police motor carrier officers and security officers employed by the state to protect state-owned or state-leased property or facilities.
Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Sheriff’s Association support the legislation.
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