Gun Sense and Safety
Why We Care
Guns are the leading cause of death for children under 18.
Someone is killed with a gun every 8 hours in Michigan.
There have been 82 school shootings in Michigan since 1970.
Michigan has the 29th-highest societal cost of gun violence in the US at $909 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Michigan $9 billion, of which $423 million is paid by taxpayers.
Republicans in Michigan blocked bills to impose new storage standards for firearms on 5/25/22, the day after the shooting that killed 21 elementary students and teachers of Uvaldel, Texas. "Every day we don't take action we are choosing guns over children," said state Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Beverly Hills. Republicans, who are in the majority, rejected the move, saying that it wasn’t the right time to consider the bills.
Partisan gridlock has blocked 50 gun reform bills in Michigan. Dem bills have included universal background checks, firearm storage, and gun-free zones. GOP bills have included constitutional carry access, repealing the pistol registry, keeping gun shops open during COVID, and exemptions for gun-free zones.
State Senate Dems want 'red flag' laws; Reps say they'll listen. In February, Sen. Bayer met with Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-ClarkLake, regarding a hearing on the "long overdue" legislation.
The Supreme Court is poised to expand gun rights. In the coming weeks, the US Supreme Court will issue a major decision on what states may do to limit carrying guns in public.
*Information from The ‘Gander Newsroom
Our Big Goal
Prevent gun violence through community education and by working with business and local leaders to advocate for public safety measures that protect people.
“Michigan does not require a background check for long gun purchases between unlicensed individuals. To strengthen its gun laws, Michigan could require background checks on all gun sales, enact an extreme risk protection order law, invest in proven community violence intervention strategies, and strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes.” Giffords Law Center
Take Action
Get resources from the American Public Health Association
Understand the problem with Giffords Law Center
Address gun violence as a public health crisis
Contact your legislators and demand accountability
Call on Congress to pass proven gun safety policies:
The Keep Americans Safe Act (H.R.2510 / S.1108) would prohibit the sale and transfer of high-capacity magazines
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2021 would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines
Donate to organization committed to this fight, like Moms Demand Action and Sandy Hook Promise
