LANSING, Mich. — In Michigan, an average of 95 children and teens die by guns every year according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.
In the aftermath of the Michigan State University mass shooting last Feb. 13, legislators passed a package of gun laws, including a safe storage measure.
The new secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, requires gun owners to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.
“We want to make sure Michigan families are aware of the new law designed to prevent unintentional deaths involving guns and how to comply with the new requirements,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Data shows firearms involved in unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents were often stored both loaded and unlocked, and children were most often fatally injured when the shooter was playing with or showing the firearm to others.”
If you fail to store a firearm as required and a minor gets ahold of the firearm and any of the following happens, you are guilty of a crime under Public Act 16 of 2023:
- If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner: a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and injures themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts serious impairment of a body function on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts death on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
“As the top law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan, as a former Wayne County prosecutor and as a mother, I too am exasperated and deeply saddened that thousands of Michigan residents fall victim each year to the scourge of senseless, preventable gun violence in our state,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel. “I am proud that our state has finally implemented new commonsense gun safety measures and am committed to using the resources of my office to educate residents about the new measures and support our communities through implementation.”
The CDC reports 67% of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and teens happen when the shooter was playing with the firearm, or showing the firearm to others.
Firearms used in unintentional deaths were often stored unlocked (76%) and most of these unlocked guns were also loaded (91%), the CDC said.
One of the most common spots for unlocked firearms is from a nightstand or sleeping area, according to the CDC.
Firearms are involved in more than half of suicide deaths in Michigan. Secure storage can also serve as a suicide prevention strategy, MDHHS said.
Free gun safety kits can also be obtained through Project ChildSafe law enforcement partners across Michigan. MDHHS is also working with the Michigan State Police to make gun locks available.
You can learn more about firearms safety and the new storage law here.
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