Michigan bill would change terrorism law

LANSING, Mich. — State lawmakers and a gun rights group on Tuesday called for changes to Michigan’s terrorism law after a Lake Superior State University student was charged for posting a photo of his rifle on social media and saying it would make “snowflakes melt.”

Lucas Gerhard, 20, faces the charge of making a terrorist threat over the photo he posted in August. The maximum sentence for a conviction is 20 years in prison.

The night before returning to Lake Superior State for his junior year, Gerhard sent a photo of his newly purchased AR-15 rifle to a group of friends on Snapchat. The text said: “Takin this bad boy up, this outta make the snowflakes melt, aye? And I mean snowflakes as in snow.”

State Rep. John Reilly, R-oakland Township, is sponsoring legislation to redefine the crime of making a terrorist threat or making a false report of terrorism.

“I never thought our society was so fragile that someone’s life could be ruined for telling a joke among friends,” said Reilly.

He said Michigan’s definition contains no “reasonable person” standard and no requirement that any particular target exist.

Gerhard spent 83 days in jail before being released on bond.

The Chippewa County prosecutor could not be reached to comment on criticism lodged against his office.

According to court documents, two Lake Superior State students notified the campus’ public safety department of the Snapchat post, and the matter was referred to Sault Ste. Marie police.

Gerhard told an officer that the term “snowflake” referred to people whose political ideology is liberal or Democratic, and making the snowflakes melt meant their “minds melting” when they found out he had brought an AR-15 to school. He said he did not want to harm anyone or himself.