(Shuttershock)
Today marks the implementation of new gun control measures in Michigan,
introducing penalties for gun owners whose firearms are accessed by
unauthorized users due to inadequate storage. The state has enacted these laws
aiming to improve the safety protocols surrounding the acquisition, storage,
and possession of firearms, despite raising concerns over governmental
intrusion and potential conflicts with constitutional rights.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel underscored the importance of these
regulations, portraying them as a significant step forward in ensuring
public safety within the state.
“This is a monumental development for the residents of Michigan, promising
to significantly enhance the safety of both residents and visitors,” Nessel
stated in a report by
WNEM 5.
Among the newly enacted measures are universal background checks, red flag
laws, and stringent requirements for the secure storage of firearms,
especially in homes with children.
The red flag legislation allows courts to temporarily confiscate firearms
from individuals judged to pose a threat to themselves or others. Critics
argue that these laws bypass traditional due process rights and open the
door for unfounded accusations to result in the seizure of firearms.
The extension of background checks to include all firearm transactions,
including private sales, is intended to align Michigan’s laws with federal
prohibitions against firearm ownership by individuals with felony
convictions or misdemeanor domestic violence charges. Critics, however,
point out that federal regulations do not mandate universal background
checks and that individuals prohibited from owning firearms may still obtain
them illegally, potentially increasing costs for legal purchases and the
resale market.
Steve Dulan, a firearms law professor at Cooley Law School, expressed
concerns to WNEM about the practical effects of the legislation, suggesting
it could complicate compliance and inadvertently discourage lawful gun
ownership. He emphasized that Michigan's approach adds complexity and might
increase the risk of both unwarranted legal action against gun owners and
vulnerability to criminal acts for those who choose to go unarmed.
To assist gun owners in adhering to the new storage laws, local law
enforcement agencies are distributing complimentary gun locks and safety
kits.
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