(This story has been update to correctly state the area state Rep. Gary Eisen represents.)
ST. CLAIR TWP., MI --A state legislator who represents communities near Port Huron says he may “load up a few more mags” of ammunition in response to protests over the death of George Floyd.
State Rep. Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Twp., posted the comment on his Facebook page Saturday, May 30, just days before demonstrations planned in Port Huron by branches of the NAACP and Black Lives Matter.
“I was at my shop this morning working, and an older guy came in. We started talking about the protesters and the riots... He said, ‘You know all those protesters are Liberals.' I said, ‘how do you know that’ .... he said, ‘Liberals look for trouble and civil unrest and Conservatives PREPARE for it.’ hmm, so i thought maybe I will load up a few more mags....,” the post says.
A photo of gun magazines and target ammunition was posted with the comment by Eisen, who owns Eisen Inc., a welding and fabricating business, and Michigan Personal Protection Training, which offers classes for those seeking permits to carry concealed weapons.
MLive-The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Eisen for comment on Wednesday, June 3, but the legislator told the Port Huron Times Herald that he “just made a joke” with his Facebook comments.
Reaction to the post on Facebook was mixed with one man commenting, “Smart move, Gary. You may not know this, but there are soon two protests in the Port Huron area. One of them goes all the way down to St. Clair.”
Another man replied, “(You) are suggesting it’s a smart move to load extra mags in preparation for a march? Last I checked we had a constitutional right to march against violence. Maybe Rep Eisen should join the march with his constituents?”
Eisen’s comments come in advance of a planned march Thursday, June 4, by the Port Huron branch of the NAACP and a planned Black Live Matter peace march in Port Huron Friday, June 5.
The Journal could not immediately reach either organization for further comment.
In Michigan, many of the protests over the death of Floyd have been peaceful but others have resulted in looting and fires.
Eisen was the lead sponsor on two state House resolutions this year that support gun rights - one of which would have declared Michigan a Second Amendment sanctuary state.
He has said he introduced resolutions defend law-abiding gun owners who carry for self-defense, hunting and competition.
Eisen represents parts of St. Clair County, including Lynn, Berlin, Emmett, Brockway, Greenwood, Grant, Clay, Clyde, Port Huron, St. Clair, East China, China, Cottreville and Mussey townships, as well as the cities of Yale, St. Clair, Marine, Marysville and Algonac.
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