Lansing, MI – Supporters of several bills aimed at reducing gun violence gathered at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to take action before the legislative session ends. The rally highlighted the emotional and personal impact of gun violence, with advocates sharing powerful stories to push for the passage of bills designed to curb gun crimes.
Among the bills being championed is one to ban bump stocks, devices that increase a firearm’s rate of fire. Another bill would allow Medicaid funding for hospital-based community violence intervention programs. There are also proposals holding businesses accountable for negligent firearm practices. Gail Duncan, whose daughter was fatally shot by her ex-partner after he was able to access a firearm from a gun range, spoke emotionally about the importance of these measures. She recalled how her daughter was shot multiple times, including once in the forehead, by a man who had been legally using the firearm at a gun range before the tragedy occurred.
“I want this to stop. My daughter was killed because of the negligence of the system,” Duncan said.
In addition to the bills targeting bump stocks and firearm accountability, other legislation aims to address the proliferation of ghost guns—untraceable firearms that are often assembled from kits—and requires schools to send home information to parents about safe firearm storage. State Rep. Sharon MacDonnell emphasized that informing parents about proper gun storage practices is essential to prevent gun-related accidents and violence.
“For safe storage to live up to its potential, parents have to know about it,” MacDonnell said.
However, the proposed bills have faced opposition. State Rep. Angela Rigas criticized the measures, arguing that they fail to address the root causes of crime and instead create unnecessary barriers for law-abiding gun owners. Rigas contended that banning bump stocks and ghost guns would not stop criminals who disregard the law, and that requiring schools to send home information about safe storage undermines parental authority.
“The real issue is crime prevention, not making it harder for law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms,” Rigas said.
In support of the bills, other lawmakers and advocates argue that the measures are necessary to protect public safety. Another bill would require Michigan State Police to destroy firearms obtained through gun buybacks, crime scenes, or old service weapons, preventing these firearms from entering the secondary market. Rep. Felicia Brabec, who supports this bill, explained that it ensures Michigan does not inadvertently contribute to the spread of firearms that could be used in crimes.
“We want a law that guarantees Michigan will not be in the business of supplying our secondary gun market,” Brabec said.
Despite time constraints, supporters of the bills remain hopeful that the legislation can be moved through the legislative process before the session concludes. Advocates are continuing to pressure lawmakers to take action, arguing that the time to address the growing gun violence crisis is now.
As Michigan’s lawmakers head into the final weeks of the session, the debate over gun reform remains a contentious issue, with advocates pushing for stronger regulations while critics argue for a focus on addressing the underlying causes of crime.
