Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Monday that will make it easier for authorities to seize firearms from persons who are thought to pose a danger to themselves or others, often known as “red flag” laws.
“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,” Whitmer said in a statement released on Monday.
According to a legislative analysis of the bill published by the Michigan House of Representatives, Senate Bill 83 allows certain individuals to file a “extreme risk protection order” with the circuit court if “evidence supports that a respondent poses a significant risk of self-injury or injury to others by possessing a firearm,” according to a legislative analysis of the bill published by the Michigan House of Representatives.
House Bill 4146, which Whitmer also signed on Monday, stipulates that an individual who is subject to an extraordinary danger protection order cannot acquire a concealed weapon licence.
“We’ve heard far too many stories about people who know a mass shooter expressing alarm ahead of time. We’ve witnessed cases when local cops flagged someone but took no further action. We have a means to step in and save lives with high risk protection orders,” Whitmer tweeted on Monday.
It’s the latest in a long line of gun-control legislation passed by Whitmer since Democrats won control of the state legislature earlier this year. It also comes at a time when mass shootings frequently dominate national headlines, such as the February incident at Michigan State University, which left three people dead and dozens others injured.
Following the shooting, Whitmer signed a package of six comprehensive gun violence prevention laws into law, including universal background checks for all guns and safe storage rules near minors.
With mass shootings in the United States at an all-time high, the argument over gun regulation has resurfaced, and states are heading in opposing directions with laws to reduce or increase safety measures.
Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed three Democratic-led gun control proposals this week, attempting to raise the age of possession of some firearms and limit who can obtain them. In Maryland, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore approved many gun safety legislation, prompting the National Rifle Association to file a lawsuit.