Snyder Bucks NRA, Vetoes Gun Bill

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder

CNN

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has made a rare move for a Republican state executive: He rebuffed the National Rifle Association.

Snyder vetoed a bill on Thursday that had pitted gun rights advocates against former Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords and anti-domestic violence organizations.

The measure would have overhauled Michigan's concealed permit applications in a way that would have allowed people who faced restraining orders as a result of domestic violence or stalking allegations to obtain guns, as long as their orders didn't specifically restrict their access to firearms.

The NRA and gun rights advocates said those fears were overblown -- but Snyder rejected their arguments in a statement issued on Thursday.

"We simply can't and won't take the chance of exposing domestic abuse victims to additional violence or intimidation," Snyder said.

"There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it's crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse," he said.

It was a rare stand by a Republican governor -- and in Snyder's case, one who's won twice in a state President Barack Obama carried and has been mentioned as a potential national candidate -- against an organization that counts much of the party's base as members.