LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan House of Representatives voted in favor of bills regarding the implementation of “safe storage” requirements for firearms owners in the hopes of reducing minors’ access to firearms. 

61 members of the Majority Democrat House voted in favor of the main bill in the package, while 47 votes were cast against the bill package.  Passing more gun reform legislation has been a priority of the new legislature since the MSU school shooting that occurred more than a month ago, including other reform to Red Flag laws, and Extreme Risk Protection Orders. 

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Supporters of the bills like one of the bill sponsors, Representative Felicia Brabec (D- Ann Arbor) argued that the package of bills would do the most good for constituents. 

“One of the things that is challenging with any of the laws we create, is of course there is going to be different circumstances that might call for different things,” Rep. Brabec said, “One of the things I believe that we have to focus on is what is going to do the most good for the most folks and that is this package of bills.” 

Others who opposed the package, criticized the bills for not addressing gun violence that supporters worried about. 

“I will always advocate for responsible gun ownership, but this broad mandate doesn’t solve the root issues of violence or deter criminals from breaking laws that we already have,” Representative Jaimie Thompsons (R-Brownstown) said, “We already have plenty of laws on the books that can be used to punish people who act recklessly with a firearm to endanger children. These bills simply micromanage law-abiding citizens who wish to protect themselves with a firearm.” 

The series of four Senate bills and four House bills passed after the House Judiciary Committee advanced them in a meeting Wednesday morning.  During the committee meeting, a representative from the Brady Campaign, an advocacy group for preventing gun violence, testified that the bills had a different goal than punishing or prosecuting people. 

“The goal here really is to effectuate behavioral change,” Senior Counsel of Public Policy with Brady, Tanya Schardt said, “It’s imperative that we start treating safely storing a firearm the same way we treat wearing a seat belt, keeping your child away from harmful medications and house cleaning products.” 

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Rep. Brabec also testified that Washtenaw and possibly Detroit offer free trigger locks to residents, and she is awaiting a response from the Washtenaw Sheriff’s Office about where other residents can acquire free trigger locks to keep costs down for gun owners.