[JURIST] Michigan Governor Rick Snyder [official website] on Thursday vetoed [text, pdf] gun legislation supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) [advocacy website] and approved by both chambers of the Republican-controlled state legislation. Governor Snyder, a Republican endorsed by the NRA in his bid for reelection last fall, felt pressure from both sides of the issue. The bill would allow a person with a personal protection order (PPO) against them to obtain a concealed pistol license. Snyder received opposition letters from former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords [official profile], who was shot in 2011, and Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat. Mr. Snyder said that he supports many parts of the bill, including changes allowing law-abiding citizens to legally carry concealed firearms. Ultimately, Mr. Snyder announced that he could not support the bill because it may increase the risk of violence to domestic abuse victims who seek protection from Michigan’s courts. Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action said [NRA report]:

The statements being made by anti-gun groups about this bill are factually incorrect. The legislation does not expose victims of domestic abuse to any additional risks of violence. The fact is that this bill would have provided victims of domestic violence increased protections against would-be abusers, while protecting our constitutional rights of self-defense and due process.

Under current Michigan law, a person subject to a PPO may not obtain such a license. Mr. Snyder called for a “balancing act” between gun rights and public safety.

Gun control has been the center of attention since the Newtown, Connecticut shooting [WSJ report] in December 2012. The NRA sued the City of Pittsburgh [JURIST report] on Thursday alleging a local gun ordinance violates Pennsylvania state law. In March 2013 Attorney General Eric Holder [official website] spoke before Congress [JURIST report] urging the federal legislature to pass gun control legislation. Also in March 2013 the Maryland Senate approved a bill [JURIST report] that would make it harder to get a gun license. In January 2013 US President Barack Obama announced that he signed 23 executive orders [JURIST report] to strengthen existing gun laws, as well as put pressure on Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004. The previous day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo [official website] signed legislation [JURIST report] that imposed tighter restrictions on gun and ammunition sales, bans any magazine that can hold more than seven rounds and implements instant background checks on all ammunition purchases at the time of sale.