Dave Bondy
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Michigan lawmakers create hotline for students to turn in parents who fail to secure firearms
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September 26, 2024
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In a move that has sparked both applause and controversy, the Michigan Legislature passed a bipartisan amendment to House Bill 5503, creating a $1 million anonymous tip line for students to report improperly stored firearms in their homes. This provision, which is part of the state's K-12 school budget, has ignited debate over privacy, Second Amendment rights, and school safety.

The Legislation and Its Provisions

The amendment, added to the School Aid budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, allocates up to $1 million to an intermediate district to partner with the Michigan Department of Education. The goal is to establish a tip line where students can report improperly stored firearms accessible to minors. Additionally, the Department of Education will distribute educational materials to schools, educating students on how to identify and report unsafe firearm storage practices.

The passage of HB 5503 marks a significant moment in Michigan's approach to gun safety in schools. The bill passed in the House by a 98-11 margin and in the Senate by a vote of 23-15, with support from both Democrats and some Republicans.

 

 

Support and Criticism

Proponents of the measure, including many Democratic lawmakers, view the tip line as a critical step toward enhancing school safety and reducing gun violence. Representative Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) praised the legislation, emphasizing the state’s commitment to the safety of children: "Michigan Democrats are taking transformational steps to meet the needs of our kids, our parents, and our teachers."

However, Republicans and gun rights advocates have expressed concerns about the implications of this amendment. Critics argue that the hotline could lead to unwarranted government intrusion into families' private lives, with fears that the program could be used by children to make false reports out of anger. They also worry that the hotline will unfairly target gun owners and violate their constitutional rights.

Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) voiced concern that the bill is part of a broader effort to enforce "the left's gun control agenda." Similarly, Senator Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) referred to the provision as "a tattletale provision" that could infringe on parents' rights.

The Great Lakes Gun Rights organization condemned the amendment, claiming it mirrors the practices of a "totalitarian police state." The group also questioned the role of law enforcement in investigating anonymous tips and the potential legal ramifications for families targeted by the hotline. “Doesn’t that violate a person’s right to face their accuser and the presumption of their innocence?” the organization asked in a public statement.

Click here to read the legislation.

Concerns from School Leaders

School officials across the state have expressed skepticism about the budget amendment, particularly the introduction of a gun storage hotline. Many have called for more transparency in how these funds will be allocated and what protocols will be in place to protect families from unfounded accusations.

"The $125 million allocated to mental health and school safety programs is vital, but this $1 million provision creates serious questions," said one school district leader, requesting anonymity. "There needs to be more clarity about how these anonymous tips will be handled and what safeguards will protect students and families."

Republican Backlash and Political Implications

While some Republicans supported the measure, others, like Representative Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford), accused Democrats of using the budget amendment as a political tool. "Now that it’s election season, Democrats are trying to appeal to the public school establishment by pushing through this half measure," Posthumus said. He further criticized the bill for allegedly cutting $300 million from other school programs.

In the midst of this backlash, State Representative Brad Paquette (R) publicly expressed regret for his vote in favor of the bill, saying he did not fully understand the implications of the amendment.

The NRA's Role

Capitol insiders have reported that the National Rifle Association (NRA) did not object to the provision, which gave Republicans some cover in voting for the bill. However, this has led to further debate within the gun rights community, with some questioning the NRA's decision to remain neutral on such a divisive issue.

Looking Ahead

The passage of HB 5503 has set the stage for a larger discussion about the balance between gun safety and civil liberties. While many agree on the importance of responsible firearm storage, the introduction of an anonymous tip line raises serious questions about privacy, legal rights, and the potential for abuse.

As the program is implemented, lawmakers and advocates on both sides of the issue will be closely monitoring its effects, especially as Michigan heads into the 2024 election season, where gun control and school safety are likely to remain central issues.

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Maxwell Breaks Silence: What She Really Said About Clinton, Trump and Epstein’s Death
The new tapes just released.

WASHINGTON — Ghislaine Maxwell, the disgraced socialite serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, spoke at length about her ties to former President Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and her view of Epstein’s death in newly released transcripts of her proffer sessions with the Department of Justice. She also addressed persistent rumors of a secret “list” of Epstein’s powerful associates, calling the notion a myth.

Click here to listen to the interview.

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Maxwell on Donald Trump

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Maxwell on Bill Clinton

Maxwell described Clinton as a figure Epstein “greatly admired” and sought to impress. She said she saw Clinton at charity and academic gatherings but insisted he was “never inappropriate” and “never a participant” in Epstein’s sexual misconduct.

Clinton has acknowledged flying on Epstein’s private jet for philanthropic work but denied wrongdoing. Maxwell’s comments, while echoing his denials, underscore Epstein’s desire to cultivate relationships with political elites.

 

Maxwell on Jeffrey Epstein’s Death

The transcripts show Maxwell voicing deep skepticism about Epstein’s official cause of death. “I don’t believe he killed himself,” she told investigators. She suggested Epstein “had many enemies” and said there were “too many coincidences” surrounding the circumstances of his 2019 death in federal custody.

While she did not accuse anyone directly, Maxwell’s doubts echoed the widespread suspicion that Epstein’s death was not self-inflicted.

Maxwell on the Rumored ‘List’

Investigators also asked Maxwell about the long-rumored “list” of Epstein’s friends and associates — sometimes described in media accounts as a supposed ledger of influential figures tied to his activities. Maxwell dismissed the idea outright.

“I never kept such a list, and I never saw one,” she said, calling the notion a “media invention.” She added that Epstein’s social circle was broad and well-known through public appearances, flight logs, and society pages, but insisted there was no secret document cataloging who might have been complicit.

“People have imagined this massive hidden record,” she said, “but it simply didn’t exist in the way it has been described.”

 

Distancing Herself from Epstein

Maxwell continued to dispute prosecutors’ characterization of Epstein’s multimillion-dollar transfers to her. She claimed the money was tied to loans, business deals, and investments, not payments for recruiting underage girls. She described flipping real estate, investing in luxury cars, and earning banking licenses in the 1990s, portraying herself as a woman seeking financial independence rather than an accomplice.

“I always wanted to be independent, financially secure and work for myself,” she said.

Renewed Scrutiny

The release of Maxwell’s interviews is likely to reignite scrutiny of Epstein’s network. For years, questions have swirled about who knew what about his abuse and how far his influence extended. Clinton has denied any knowledge of criminal activity, while Trump has said he knew Epstein socially but “was not a fan.”

Maxwell’s denial of a “list” may quiet some speculation but is unlikely to end the fascination with Epstein’s high-profile ties. Her insistence that Clinton and Trump were not involved in abuse will not silence critics, especially given her conviction for enabling Epstein’s exploitation.

 

A Story That Refuses to Fade

Six years after Epstein’s death and more than two years into her sentence, Maxwell remains central to the scandal. Her interviews reflect both an attempt to defend her reputation and a refusal to accept the narrative prosecutors advanced.

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Now, with her words public, the controversy surrounding Epstein, Maxwell, and the powerful world they inhabited is once again thrust into the spotlight — with two former presidents and the specter of a rumored “list” ensuring the story remains alive.

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