A far-right activist testifying against bills to ban guns from the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, which he claimed targeted white people, was gaveled down Thursday and dismissed after using the n-word.
The individual in question identified himself as Avi Rachlin, while his sign-in card said he was representing “Groypers for America,” referencing a far-right movement associated with white supremacist Nick Fuentes.
Testifying to the Michigan Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Rachlin immediately began his remarks by angrily denouncing the bills, talking so loud that it distorted the audio being recorded.
“Absolutely not. That is the message that voters sent last week when they decided to eject representatives from the state House and send Donald Trump into the White House. And rather than recognizing the will of the people in deciding to restore Republicans to the state house, Democrats have embarked on an effort of retaliation and retribution …”
At that point, the committee chair, state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), cut off Rachlin and asked him to speak to the bills at hand.
From there, Rachlin, who is a former regional director for Michigan Open Carry, alleged a racial component behind the legislation.
“This is legislation that targets white people. It is racial because the people who carry in the capital are primarily white. People who have CPLs [concealed pistol license] are primarily white, and this is retaliation for the only demographic that overwhelmingly voted to support Donald Trump. And that is why it is being taken out on us because you don’t like us,” Rachlin said.
Rachlin became increasingly angry leading up to when he used the slur.
“If you want to address gun violence, we would be focusing on the people who bring guns into communities and shoot people like where I live in Detroit where you represent Stephanie Chang, which are overwhelmingly 13-to-34-year-old Sub-Saharan African ni—rs. Those are the people who …”
Chang immediately gaveled down Rachlin and said they were moving on.
“I am testifying,” said Rachlin.
“Yep. And I am the chair, and I have gaveled you down,” said Chang.
Rachlin then angrily asked if Chang was going to have armed guards remove him.
“Armed men with guns?” he said.
Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) then spoke up.
“Did I just hear you call a group of people by some epithet?” he asked Rachlin.
“Yes,” said Rachlin.
“The idea that this is aimed at white people. I know so many different groups from minority communities that are armed, that carry concealed. It’s just a ridiculous argument,” said Runestad.
Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) then interjected.
“The term that you used is inappropriate and it will not get you anywhere in this Legislature,” she said.
The committee then moved on and Rachlin gathered his things and left.
The committee voted 4-2, with Runestad and Johnson opposed, to send SB 857 and SB 858 to the full Senate for debate.
The package would largely prohibit guns inside the three buildings that make up the Capitol complex in Lansing: the Michigan Capitol, the Anderson House Office Building and the Binsfeld Senate Office Building. The main exception would be for a lawmaker with a CPL, who could still carry a weapon in the buildings.
The bills essentially codify a decision made last year by the bipartisan Michigan State Capitol Commission to institute the ban in the Capitol building, and extend it to the Anderson and Binsfeld buildings where lawmakers’ offices are located.
After the committee hearing, Chang posted Rachlin’s name to social media, and noted that when he was a student at Penn State University, his peers referred to him as a “violent, misogynist, homophobic, white supremacist,” referencing a petition initiated by students to have him expelled after an incident in which Rachlin got into a physical altercation with an assistant professor during a vaccine rally in 2021.
Rachlin uses the username “avsterbone” on social media and responded to Chang’s post with one of his own.
“Trump’s Project 2025 will deport you and your parents back to Taiwan,” he posted. “Maybe living under the constant fear China will one day seize your island might make you reconsider your current push here to disarm White people. Thankfully, you’re termed out and will be gone in 2026.”
Chang is the first Taiwanese American Michigander elected to the Legislature.
State Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-East Lansing) called out Rachlin’s comments.
“This is the rhetoric of [a] weak person who has run out of any valuable argument. While I don’t like giving it any attention, it’s important to be clear eyed that this type of hatred still exists,” posted Hertel.
One of those testifying in favor of the bills who spoke prior to Rachlin, was state Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), who recalled COVID-19 pandemic protests in 2020 in which gun rights advocates were allowed to bring long guns into the Senate gallery.
“It was just a few years ago that many of us were in this building absolutely terrified as firearms were pointed at us while we were trying to do our jobs,” said Anthony, who was interrupted several times by Runestad, who questioned if she had reported to Capitol security that guns had actually been pointed at her. Anthony said she had done so, both to the Michigan State Police, as well as House sergeants.
When Runestad again interrupted Anthony, she reminded him that she was speaking and said, “I raised a lot of nieces and nephews, and I’m not shy when it comes to addressing temper tantrums.”
Speaking with the Michigan Advance after the session, Anthony said the exchange with Runestad may have indirectly encouraged Rachlin’s later comments.
“He just wouldn’t let me talk, and he wouldn’t let me speak in an honest manner and so I was a little shaken up by it,” she said. “I don’t like bullies. I’ve never liked bullies, even when I was a child. I just have always felt like people should give folks respect, even when you disagree.”
Anthony said the combative comments from Runestad created an environment in which someone else felt comfortable enough to use a racial slur.
“Myself and Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Twp.), were the two Black women that were testifying about this issue. And so when you use the n-word as a part of your justification of why you want to continue to have firearms in the Capitol, it’s hurtful, right? It’s hurtful. It’s direct and the lack of civility amongst colleagues creates an environment, in my opinion, that makes it easier for the public to come in and use derogatory terms,” said Anthony.
Lavora Barnes, the first Black woman to chair the Michigan Democratic Party, also spoke out against Rachlin.
“The vile language used today was unacceptable, and every lawmaker in attendance should be making it very clear that no matter who you are or what you support — bigotry and hatred have no place in our legislature or political discourse. The group he belongs to, Groypers for America, is known for espousing racist, antisemitic language, and they should be nowhere near Michigan politics.”
Anthony says she just hopes this isn’t a glimpse into the new normal in political discourse.
“I hope we’re not in a place that this becomes the norm. That whether it’s lawmakers or the public, just don’t treat each other with respect and civility, and a lot of that, folks feel very emboldened by Trump. And I’m sad for what that looks like for the future,” she said. “I don’t want to have to go back to wearing a bulletproof vest to work. It’s very, very, very uncomfortable. I want to focus on doing things like balancing the state’s budget, not making sure there’s not bullets that’s flying in this building.”
Advance reporter Kyle Davidson contributed to this story.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
SUBSCRIBE
Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Susan J. Demas for questions: info@michiganadvance.com. Follow Michigan Advance on Facebook and X.
