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Lee Chatfield to recieve civil infraction for unregistered gun at airport

Flickr User Jeff Gunn
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https://flic.kr/p/7Xorji

A top-ranking Republican in Michigan’s House will be issued a civil infraction for bringing an unregistered gun to the airport in July.

Representative Lee Chatfield of Levering apologized, saying he made an inexcusable mistake.

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin says Michigan law requires firearms be registered within ten days of purchase.

“Well I think it’s very important to have firearms registered incase – let’s say there was a crime or something, it makes the determination who owns the weapon.”

Chatfield failed to register the gun within the time period.

A civil infraction is not a criminal charge, it’s a ticket.

The Sheriff says the maximum fine is 250 dollars, and it will be up to the court to decide whether Chatfield is fined or not.

Earlier this week, the county prosecutor announced he would not press criminal charges against Chatfield for bringing a firearm to the airport, saying Michigan’s law is not clear.

Chatfield beat his Republican opponent in the primary by a landslide.