LANSING, MI (WTVB) - Legislation in the Michigan House seeks to eliminate the state's pistol registry system and eliminate background checks for handgun sales.

Dwayne Gill with the Michigan State Police says they're hoping that if the legislation moves forward, some of the language will be changed. He says the registry is a very valuable tool to law enforcement because it allows them to track pistol sales and records so when and if an individual uses a pistol in a crime, at least they have a serial number where investigators can go to get a lead to establish ownership and the weapon’s history.

He says they're hoping for a compromise to keep background checks in place. The legislation deals only with handguns and not rifles or shotguns.