Hat's Off to a Republican Governor

No, seriously.  That wasn't sarcastic or tongue-in-cheek.  A Republican governor, Rick Snyder of Michigan, did something on Thursday that was notable and worthy of praise.

A law passed by the conservative Michigan legislature was sitting on Gov. Snyder's desk, waiting to be signed.  It was a bill backed by GOP inamorato the NRA, which would allow people to carry a concealed weapon even though they have a restraining order against them for domestic violence.

The governor -- again, a Republican -- vetoed it.

Really.

This was a Republican-sponsored bill.  It had passed through the Republican legislature.  The NRA was heavily pushing for the governor to sign the bill.  And he vetoed.

Better still was his response, explaining why.

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


Gov. Snyder had been pressed hard by anti-gun and domestic violence groups.  He also was pressed by former Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords (D-AZ).  But still, there was all the Republican and NRA support for the bill.

And Governor Rick Snyder, (R-MI), vetoed it.

Extremely admirable.

Hat's off.  Lots of praise.  Lots of political courage.