LANSING, Mich. — On Tuesday, a rally at the Michigan State Capitol brought together a coalition of state Democrats, gun control advocacy groups, and concerned citizens, all united in their call for stronger gun safety laws. The event, attended by students, moms, community leaders, and legislators, highlighted the urgency of addressing gun violence and the need for legislative action at the state level.
One of the most powerful voices at the rally was that of Rebekah Schuler, a college student and survivor of the tragic shooting at Oxford High School on November 30, 2021. Schuler recounted the harrowing experience of that day when a gunman opened fire, killing four of her classmates and injuring seven others. Schuler’s testimony resonated with those present as she described the lasting trauma she endures. “I was there on Nov. 30 at Oxford High School, where a gunman came in and killed four of my classmates and wounded seven others,” Schuler shared with 6 News. “Hearing the gunshots, like, I can’t unhear those sounds and I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.”
Now in college, Schuler expressed her deep concern for the safety of her younger siblings, fearing that their school could be the next target of gun violence. This fear, she said, is what motivated her to join Students Demand Action, a national movement advocating for stronger gun control measures. “I don’t want anyone to experience that, let alone my younger siblings,” Schuler continued. “Any other kids voting for change is how we ensure that this doesn’t happen to anybody else.”
Since the Oxford shooting, Michigan Democrats have made significant strides in advancing gun control laws. Recent legislative measures include a red flag law, a safe storage law, and increased funding for community violence prevention initiatives such as Advance Peace in Lansing. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has been a strong advocate for these reforms, emphasized the importance of continuing this work. “Over the last few years, I’ve signed common-sense gun violence prevention bills into law to save lives and keep Michiganders safe,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Yeah, we owe it to victims, survivors, parents, teachers, and students to end this epidemic.”
However, with Republicans now in control of the State House, gun control advocates face an uphill battle in pushing for further reforms. One of the key issues they are advocating for is legislation targeting “ghost guns”—untraceable firearms that can be assembled from parts purchased online or through 3D-printed kits. Schuler, along with other advocates, warned that these weapons pose a significant threat to public safety. “Ghost guns are very dangerous and we don’t want those in our communities or our homes,” Schuler stated. “Those are firearms that you assemble yourself with kits, and there’s no age limit. And so kids can build them, and those aren’t safe.”
Beyond addressing ghost guns, advocates are also pushing for legislation that would hold the gun industry accountable for its role in gun violence. Schuler, in particular, voiced frustration with the industry’s lack of responsibility. “They’re profiting off of our suffering. And that shouldn’t be the case. They should be held accountable for their responsibility and how their weapons affect lives and kill lives,” she said.
Despite the challenges posed by the political landscape in Lansing, Governor Whitmer expressed confidence in the power of grassroots activism to drive change. “We didn’t wait around for Washington, DC to lead us in the right direction. Instead, this movement was powered by people,” Whitmer remarked.
As the debate over gun control continues, advocates are hopeful that public support will push lawmakers to take meaningful action. In the coming months, the proposed legislation will likely face rigorous scrutiny, but for now, the movement remains determined to ensure that tragedies like the Oxford shooting do not occur again.
6 News has reached out to several prominent gun rights organizations in Michigan for comment on the proposed gun legislation, but as of now, no response has been received.
