Last Thursday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, signed several gun control bills into law. The six new measures restrict 2A rights through additional background check requirements and “safe storage” policies.
The packaged, dubbed “Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation,” was pushed through a Democratic-majority legislature before hitting the governor’s desk last week.
Michigan Democrats have been working on these laws for over a year, but their efforts were stalled by the previously Republican-led legislature. The flip of the House last November allowed Democrats to advance the bills with votes along party lines.
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Republican state Sen. Joseph Bellino was quite vocal against the new measures calling them “severely flawed” and pinpointing that none of the new restrictions would have prevented the MSU shooting.
Additionally, two 2A groups, Great Lakes Gun Rights and Michigan Open Carry, have filed a suit against the state legislature claiming they were not given an adequate opportunity to speak out against the bills.
However, these bills were introduced in the wake of the MSU shooting. As a result, Democratic legislators were able to force such bills through both the Senate and House.
Laws on “Universal” Background Checks for Gun Control
“Universal background checks and safe storage are long-overdue steps we are proud to take today that will save lives by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and domestic abusers and children in the home,” Whitmer said in a press release.
Two of the bills from the package are directed to increase background check requirements. These bills impose the necessity of a background check in order to purchase any firearm in the state regardless of the type of firearm or if the sale is private or from a business.
“Safe Storage” Gun Control Laws
Another part of the gun control package includes requirements for the “safe storage” of firearms. The new laws will lead to “penalties for storing or leaving a firearm where it may be accessed by a minor.”
In addition to the safe storage requirement, one of the laws removes sales tax from firearm storage equipment to make it more affordable for gun owners.
Gun Control in the United States
Over the last several years, states claiming to improve safety and prevent gun violence have begun pushing more for universal background checks, safe storage laws, and further red-flag laws.
However, these laws have done little to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who wish to do harm. Conversely, they have made it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves.
Concerning Michigan’s new laws Sen. Bellino explained, “They will give people a sense of false security, all while infringing on everyone’s right to own a firearm to hunt, or even defend themselves.”
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