A Michigan Chairman is asking state officials to emphasize gun rights in response to anti-Asian violence.
Wes Nakagiri, the Chairman of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, issued a press release to request that the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) update their publication, ‘Michigan Resources Toolkit for Asian Families and Communities’, to include information about guns.
“With violence on the rise, I am asking Lansing to make it easier for Asian-Americans to protect and defend themselves,” Nakagiri said.
The Japanese American Chairman said the publication should include information on how to acquire a concealed pistol license (CPL).
Nakagiri, an enthusiastic Trump supporter, highlighted that the Michigan Resources Toolkit for Asian Families and Communities hasn’t been updated since 2016.
“It is surprising that this MAPAAC publication places so much emphasis on personal hygiene while ignoring personal safety,” said Nakagiri.
“I recommend MAPAAC add information explaining how to apply for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) and how to acquire the necessary firearm training to safely handle a concealed weapon,” he added.
MAPAAC issued a statement in response, saying the commission does “not endorse the use of any language that indicates, or suggests, it condones or encourages violence of any kind.”
“We are open to collaborating with counties across Michigan to host community town halls to better understand the needs of the APA community. We extend our partnership to the Livingston Board of Commissioners to organize listening sessions with APAs organizations and residents of Livingston County to address their concerns. We invite Chairman Nakagiri to attend our virtual June 11 Commission Meeting to address his concerns with the commission.”
Nakagiri said it wasn’t clear to him “how educating new Asian American citizens about their right to self-defense would be interpreted as condoning or encouraging violence,” saying he believes “lives could be saved if MAPAAC provided Asian American citizens with information about firearms safety and concealed pistol licensing requirements.”
There has been a recent rise in attacks on Asians across America. In response, a Brooklyn woman is giving out free safety alarms to Asian Americans in New York City.
Recent attacks against the country include an Asian woman who was hit in the face in Philadelphia.
In California, Vietnamese family was tied up in their own home by robbers who stole their entire life savings in Oakland, California.
Also in California, an elderly Asian American woman was kicked in the face by a suspect who was on parole for fatally stabbing his mother.
Most recently, a firefighter who attacked an Asian American man claims he was drugged before the attack.
Additionally, the man who harassed Olympian Sakura Kokumai has been arrested for attacking a senior Korean couple.
