Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed the topic of gun violence in the latest episode of their podcast, Pantsuits and Lawsuits. The episode features Emma Brown, executive director at Giffords, an organization focused on ending gun violence nationwide.

During the discussion, Brown described how Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) provide law enforcement with a court-supervised method to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. She noted that police departments that previously opposed ERPOs are now using them as part of their strategy to prevent harm. The conversation also covered research showing that safe storage practices can reduce youth deaths and discussed the impact of distributing free gun locks through police departments and pediatricians.

Nessel and Mayes also examined the challenges posed by ghost guns and conversion devices, such as unserialized parts and forced-reset triggers. These items make it more difficult for authorities to trace firearms and increase risks for both officers and communities.

“We’ve seen firsthand in Michigan how common-sense gun legislation can save lives,” Nessel said. “When states act and use tools like ERPOs and safe storage laws, we can prevent tragedies before they happen. I am grateful Emma was able to join us to share her expertise and for the work she continues to do to combat gun violence.”

Pantsuits and Lawsuits releases new episodes every two weeks, offering listeners insights into legal topics, policy debates, major cases, and the roles attorneys general play in shaping justice at both state and national levels. The most recent episode is now available on leading podcast platforms.