LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The House Judiciary Committee advanced bills regarding Safe Storage legislation with recommendation after considering remarks from Representatives and Gun Advocates. 

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House Bills introduced by Representative Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor) were first up for discussion which culminated in the committee advancing several house bills with substitutes. 

“Save storage has been a priority of mine since I joined the legislature in 2021,” Representative Brabec said, “Our goal with this legislation is to save lives and as legislators that is where our focus should be when we’re discussing these policies.” 

According to Rep. Brabec, in House Bill 4144, which requires firearms to be locked up and safely stored away from any minor, there are several conditions that must be met if left unattended.  The firearm must be stored unloaded in a box or container or it must have a proper locking device that prevents the firearm from discharging, such as a trigger lock. 

To help gun owners adjust to the cost of the safe storage laws, Rep. Brabec mentioned the later passed bills, House Bills 4140 and 4141 would exempt the sales tax involving the purchase of firearm safety devices through 2024. 

Minority Vice Chair of the Judiciary Committee and Representative Andrew Fink (R-Hillsdale), asked about whether safe storage was an area where different circumstances might suggest different practices, rather than one size fits all for the whole state. 

“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.” 

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Another area of concern was how the storage law would be enforced compared to other crimes such as someone stealing the gun from a home, or a minor child accidentally or intentionally hurting themselves according to Representative Kara Hope (D-Holt). 

“I think that’s a really tragic example, and I think the first thing to consider when you’re talking about safe storage laws is the goal here is not to punish or prosecute people,” Tanya Schardt, Senior Counsel of Public Policy with advocacy group Brady said, “the goal here really is to effectuate behavioral change.  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.” 

Despite the bills regarding exempting gun safety mechanisms from sales tax, Representative Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe) inquired about where people could get free trigger locks as the price can range from $8 to $700. 

“Washtenaw County Residents can get them,” Rep. Brabec said, “I was talking to one of our colleagues who represents Detroit, and he said that he thought it was the same there.  I also have a question in to our sheriff’s department in Washtenaw County to see where else this happens in the state.” 

Later, the Committee heard an oppositional testimony from Tom Lambert, the Legislative Director for MI Open Carry who argued that the bills before the house were filled with “misinformation” and would not prevent crime. 

“Saying those people who bring up these concerns are opposed to storage that’s a false dichotomy,” Lambert said, “This isn’t an opposition to storage, the gun community itself supports people storing firearms responsibly, it’s just what is that responsibly we understand that that can tailor to specific circumstances.”