Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, Mich.— On May 22, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed commonsense gun violence prevention bills establishing extreme risk protection orders in Michigan, ensuring police officers, health care professionals, and family members concerned about someone who may harm themselves or others can seek a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms. At the bill signing, Governor Whitmer was joined by bill sponsors, legislators, public safety advocates, and law enforcement officials.

 “No Michigander should fear going to school, work, the grocery store, or their own home because of gun violence,” said Governor Whitmer. “Extreme risk protection orders have been proven to reduce suicides, save lives, and keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and violent criminals. I am proud to sign this legislation to keep Michiganders safe, and I want to thank my partners in the legislature for getting this done, the advocates who fought so hard to make this happen, and every Michigander who works hard to build safe communities where everyone can thrive. Only thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Let’s keep taking commonsense action to reduce gun violence and keep families and communities safe.”

 “Too many Michiganders have lost people they love to the senseless tragedy of gun violence,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today, we are taking action to save lives, prevent tragedies, and protect communities. Extreme risk protection orders, safe storage laws, and universal background checks will save lives and help keep families and kids safe at home, in the streets, at school, and at work. Governor Whitmer and I will continue investing in public safety and working with anyone to prevent gun violence.”

 Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 83 and House Bills 4146, 4147, and 4148.

 “In the aftermath of gun violence tragedies, we often hear from families who said that they knew their loved one was in a dark place, but there was nothing they could do to get the guns out of the equation,” said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). “That will not be the case any longer. I am so proud and relieved that this lifesaving policy has made it across the finish line. Whether it’s domestic violence, homicide, mass shootings, or suicide, we want to address gun violence in all its ugly forms. This legislation helps law enforcement and the courts do that effectively and swiftly, and Michigan will be a safer place because of it.”

“Protecting our children and communities from gun violence is a top priority,” said House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “Extreme risk protection orders provide courts with a process to keep guns out of the hands of those intent on harming themselves or others. This is a commonsense policy that’s long overdue.”

Senate Bill 83, sponsored by state Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), enacts the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act to allow specified individuals, such as a spouse or family member, to request that a circuit court enter an extreme risk protection order for an individual. If the court determines the individual poses a significant risk of personal injury to himself or herself or others by possessing a firearm, the extreme risk protection order would prohibit the restrained individual from possessing or purchasing a firearm, among other prohibitions, while the order is in effect.

 “Countless families across Michigan are devastated by the epidemic of gun violence,” said state Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak). “Today, we take action to save lives, protect kids, families, and communities, and end gun violence. The data is clear that extreme risk protection orders are a commonsense, effective tool to keep guns out of the hands of those who may hurt themselves or others and are already employed by 19 states across the country. Let’s celebrate and be thankful for the progress we’ve made—the result of nearly a decade of work—and continue working together to save lives here in Michigan.”

 House Bill 4146, sponsored by state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi), prohibits an individual who was subject to an extreme risk protection order from qualifying for a pistol license and a concealed pistol license.

 “This Extreme Risk Protection Order package will save lives,” said state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi). “Between now and when these go into effect, it is critical to help law enforcement and the public know these measures are available to keep firearms out of the hands of people that pose an immediate threat to themselves or others, while still protecting the rights of responsible gun owners. It is my sincerest hope that these bills will help make our state a safer place and prevent senseless gun violence.”

 House Bill 4147, sponsored by state Representative Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), amends the Revised Judicature Act to create specified exemptions when processing or filing a civil action for the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act.

 “Our kids have grown up in a world where children are put on the front lines and expected to keep themselves safe,” said state Representative Julie Brixie (D-Okemos). “These front lines are in their schools and neighborhoods—the very places they should be safe to learn and grow. Over and over, students and their parents have asked the government to take action to prevent gun violence. Today we get to answer their call. ERPO laws will meaningfully assist in preventing mass shootings and keep our children and communities safe.”

House Bill 4148, sponsored by State Representative Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to add the felonies proposed in Senate Bill 83 to the Code’s sentencing guidelines.

 “The personal safety of Michiganders is not a partisan issue,” said state Representative Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit). “We have a responsibility to strengthen our laws and potentially save lives, and these bills give us another set of necessary tools to temporarily separate firearms from people at risk of harming themselves or others. I am grateful the governor agrees and is signing the entire bill package into law.” 

 Investing in Public Safety

As a former prosecutor, Governor Whitmer has prioritized protecting communities by investing $1 billion in public safety. The governor’s budget from this year includes $36.6 million in funding specifically dedicated for local public safety for the first time in our state’s history, and revenue sharing with local governments is up 29% over the governor’s tenure, helping communities invest in public safety and first responders. The governor launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a statewide crackdown on crime aimed at reducing gun violence by getting illegal guns out of communities and out of the hands of people who cannot legally be in possession of a gun due to prior criminal history. Operation Safe Neighborhoods has recovered almost 400 illegal guns in less than a year. Last month, the governor signed a package of commonsense gun safety bills establishing universal background checks for all firearm purchases and safe storage requirements.

Original source can be found here