LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — In response to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning a federal ban on bump stocks, Michigan State Senator Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) has introduced a bill to prohibit the purchase and possession of these devices within the state. Bump stocks, devices that enable semiautomatic rifles to fire rapidly, gained notoriety after the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, which remains the deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history.

The Supreme Court’s June 14 ruling found that the federal ban exceeded the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), prompting a need for state-level regulation.

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In response, Sen. Polehanki quickly moved to propose a state-level ban, describing the action as a “life-or-death matter” essential for protecting Michigan communities. “Within minutes after the U.S. Supreme Court decision came through, I knew that we needed to act at the state level,” she said, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. 

Michigan’s proposed bump stock ban aligns with the efforts of sixteen other states and Washington, D.C., which have already implemented similar prohibitions, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Sen. Polehanki’s bill follows a series of gun safety measures signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer last year. These measures included expanding background checks, imposing firearm storage requirements, and enacting a “red flag” law that allows judges to temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed an imminent threat.

In addition to Sen. Polehanki’s proposal, other recent legislative efforts in Michigan have focused on raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms and instituting a two-week waiting period for gun purchases.

Public reaction to the proposed ban has been mixed on X (formerly Twitter). Some users express skepticism, viewing the regulation of bump stocks as unnecessary or an infringement on constitutional rights, while others see it as a necessary step for public safety. 

There are also arguments that focusing on bump stocks may be ineffective since the Supreme Court has already ruled on the issue, potentially limiting the impact of state-level bans. Additionally, some believe the move is an overreach by Democratic lawmakers, suggesting that such measures could be seen as politically motivated rather than genuinely aimed at enhancing safety.

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With lawmakers focused on finalizing the budget before the summer recess, discussions on the bump stock ban are likely to occur after they reconvene.