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Wednesday, February 14, 2024 02:09 PM |
Michigan Firearm Safety Laws Take Effect
A law requiring secure storage of firearms went into effect Feb. 13, 2024. According to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, the new secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, requires individuals 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. If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm, and any of these circumstances occur, that individual is guilty of a crime. Children and adolescents are at risk of firearm injury death, and safe storage is essential:
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds (67%) of unintentional firearm injury deaths among children and adolescents occurred when the shooter was playing with the firearm or showing the firearm to others.
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Firearms used in unintentional injury deaths were often stored unlocked (76%), and most of these unlocked firearms were also loaded (91%).
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Unlocked firearms were most commonly accessed from a nightstand or other sleeping areas (30%).
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Firearms are involved in more than half of suicide deaths in Michigan. Secure storage can also serve as a suicide prevention strategy.
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In 2020, firearms became the number one cause of death for children in the United States and Michigan, surpassing motor vehicle deaths and those caused by other injuries.
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