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Michigan gun reform: Senate expected to vote on bill package soon

By and Amber Ainsworth
Published  March 15, 2023 6:54am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

Michigan gun reform vote expected soon

Lawmakers are expected to vote this week on a package of bills that would change gun laws in Michigan. These would require safe storage of firearms, red flag laws, universal background checks, and more.

LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - The Michigan Senate is expected to vote soon on a package of bills that would change gun laws.

This 11-bill package was introduced after the Michigan State University shooting. Highlights include red flag laws, universal background checks, and safe storage requirements.

Read: Young mass shooting survivors urge state lawmakers for gun safety law package

In the midst of this, a gun control rally is scheduled for the steps of the Michigan Capitol in Lansing organized by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt. Other shooting survivors and gun safety advocates will join her.

If passed, background checks would be required to purchase all firearms, not just handguns. Gun owners would also be required to store firearms locked up away from children.

More: Gun legislation enters the arena in Lansing 

Red flag laws are also part of the package. Other states have enacted these laws. Florida passed a law after the Parkland high school shooting in 2018, while Maine has a "yellow flag" law that requires a medical professional to sign off before guns are removed. 

The specifics of these laws vary by state, but the premise is the same – someone, typically a family member, police, or medical professional, can petition to have a person's guns removed from them for a set time. A judge approves or denies these orders, and the person can be charged with crimes if they fail to comply.