Gun Violence Prevention Groups Call on Michigan State Legislature to Pass Life-Saving Gun Safety Bills

 As the Michigan Legislature enters lame duck period, coalition of advocates urge House and Senate leadership to prioritize three gun violence prevention bills before end of session

Lansing, Michigan, November 14, 2024 — Today, a coalition of gun violence prevention advocates unite to urge Michigan state legislature leadership to prioritize three crucial public safety bills before the current legislative session ends. The measures would strengthen ghost gun regulations, hold the gun industry accountable, and expand violence prevention programs across the state.  

The proposed legislation includes:   

• Ghost Guns – This bill would crack down on the proliferation of unregulated and untraceable ghost guns. Most importantly, this bill would ban the import, purchase, sale, offer for sale, or transfer of ownership of any completed or unfinished frame or receiver that is not considered to be a firearm under state law or is not imprinted with a valid serial number. 

• Industry Accountability – This bill would repeal the state-level protections that are currently granted to the gun industry and create a narrow exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which has been interpreted to provide unparalleled protections for the gun industry against civil liability. By repealing the outstanding consumer protections the gun industry has in Michigan, and by creating a narrow exception to PLCAA, gun violence victims and survivors will be allowed to pursue civil claims against the gun industry for dangerous, irresponsible, and negligent business practices that result in gun violence. 

• HB 6064 would authorize Medicaid funding for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) services across the state. CVI programs are evidenced-based programs that play a foundational role in addressing the root causes of gun violence and supporting communities and victims of violence. This bill will codify and sustain Medicaid funding in Michigan to help meaningfully address gun violence and end generational cycles of violence.

“Michigan has an opportunity to lead on comprehensive gun violence prevention before the legislative session ends,” said Kelly Sampson, Senior Policy Counsel at Brady. “ By targeting ghost guns, holding the gun industry accountable, and investing in evidence-based community violence solutions, these bills create a framework that addresses both the immediate threats of gun violence and long-term prevention. Brady urges Michigan’s legislative leadership to seize this moment and pass these bills that we know will save countless lives before time runs out.” 

“Local, state, and national gun safety advocates have all come together today to ask Michigan leaders to protect its communities by cracking down on crime guns, holding gun manufacturers accountable for looking the other way when guns are sold illegally, and by investing in proven solutions to prevent crime before it happens,” said Sean Holihan, GIFFORDS State Legislative Director. “We need these bills passed now.”

“This critical legislation will create a violence prevention benefit within the Medicaid program to provide essential services to those at high risk of community violence as well as survivors of violence,” said Jermaine Belcher, Senior Coordinator of Policy and Advocacy at the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention. “By supporting this legislation, Michigan lawmakers have an opportunity to create a robust state-wide public health funding infrastructure to combat violence effectively and ensure the well-being of all communities impacted.”

“Gun violence continues to steal the lives of thousands of Michiganders and Michigan lawmakers need to showcase the full strength of their gun sense trifecta, securing their legacy by protecting lives and passing critical gun safety legislation during lame duck session,” said Monisha Henley, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety. “With only a few months left of this year, Michigan lawmakers need to address unfinished business to keep the state safe from shootings in our neighborhoods, by passing critical gun safety legislation like regulating ghost guns, holding bad actors in the gun industry accountable, and allocating funding for critical community violence intervention programs. The time is now to be bold against gun violence.” 

“Michigan lawmakers have an opportunity to affirm their commitment to a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach to prevent gun violence,” said Jen Pauliukonis, Director of Policy and Programming at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. “By prioritizing policies that reduce the presence of illegal guns in communities and providing support to those most impacted, they can take meaningful steps toward enhancing public safety and protecting vulnerable communities.” 
“Now is the time to do everything we can to save lives,” said Ryan Bates, Executive Director of End Gun Violence Michigan. “The legislature has an important opportunity to protect our families and children from gun violence. We urge them to seize it.”