Ending Gun Violence in Michigan: Why We Must Act and What You Can Do Now

Gun violence in America is not just a policy issue or a news headline. It’s a public health crisis that affects families, neighborhoods, and communities in every state — and some states, such as Michigan, are facing disproportionate impacts. Whether it’s tragic mass shootings, daily incidents of gun-related domestic violence, or the ripple effects of community trauma, the consequences are real and devastating. 

But Michiganders aren’t powerless. Through smarter policies and grassroots organizing, we can protect lives and promote safety. Here’s what every Michigan resident needs to know.

Gun Violence in Michigan: A Deepening Crisis

Injury and death by firearms is more than an urban issue or an isolated problem: It’s one of the leading causes of death in the state. Michigan’s firearm death rate is higher than the national average, with state gun violence statistics revealing that there are more than 1,500 cases annually. Shootings are the leading cause of death among children and teens, and more than half of all gun deaths are suicides, most of them involving a legally purchased firearm.

Worse, the impact of gun violence in Michigan is not evenly distributed: It’s concentrated, preventable, and rooted in systemic inequities. The state’s gun homicide rate is a staggering 22 times higher for Black residents than for white residents, revealing a stark racial disparity in both exposure and impact where Michigan violence rates are concerned. 

Gun violence rates also tend to cluster in neighborhoods that have been historically disinvested in and over-policed. These communities are often also burdened by poverty, inadequate educational opportunities, and barriers to affordable mental health care and legal services.

What Michigan Is Doing — and What Still Needs to Be Done

While recent years have seen progress, much more needs to be done to end gun violence in Michigan communities. In 2024, Michigan passed a historic set of gun safety laws, including:

• Universal background checks
• Safe storage requirements
• Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), also known as red flag laws
• Protections for survivors of domestic violence

These are meaningful steps. ERPO laws in other states have been associated with reduced firearm suicides and prevention of mass shootings. Michigan’s new laws provide a framework for intervention, especially in cases of domestic violence or mental health crises.

But the work isn’t over. End Gun Violence Michigan stresses that implementation, public awareness, and community education are essential. Many gun owners are still unaware of safe storage laws, and local courts and law enforcement must be properly trained to apply ERPOs. Moreover, advocates continue to call for additional protections, such as:

• Closing domestic violence loopholes to ensure abusers can’t access guns
• Strengthening penalties for illegal firearm trafficking
• Investing in community-based violence intervention programs

Long-term solutions must also address the root causes of gun violence, such as poverty, housing insecurity, and lack of access to education and health services. These are complex issues, but they’re solvable with political will and grassroots pressure.

How to End Gun Violence: Why Community Organizing Is Key 

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference, here’s your answer: get involved in local community organizing. Project 3.5 by Michigan United is a campaign rooted in the belief that real change comes from the ground up.

Project 3.5 is building power in neighborhoods across the state to push for policy enforcement, gun violence prevention funding, and accountability from local and state leaders. The 3.5 comes from a proven theory in movement building. This theory states that it takes just 3.5% of a population actively engaged in nonviolent organizing to achieve significant systemic change. That’s about 350,000 Michiganders.

Community organizing isn't just about protest; it’s about relationship building, educating your neighbors, showing up to town halls, and engaging in policy advocacy. It's also about shifting the culture around guns and violence, especially in places where solutions have long felt out of reach.

This work matters. As Michigan United explains, community organizing has helped bring national attention to issues such as immigration reform, housing justice, and climate action. Now, it’s being used to fight for gun safety and save lives in Michigan.

Anyone can be part of the movement. Whether you're a parent, student, faith leader, or concerned resident, your voice counts. By joining Project 3.5, you can:

• Participate in local campaigns to raise awareness about gun safety laws.
• Support survivors and families impacted by gun violence.
• Work with local coalitions, such as End Gun Violence Michigan, to advocate for stronger protections.
• Push for accountability and equitable resource distribution in your community.

Why We Can’t Afford to Wait

Gun violence in Michigan is not inevitable. It’s a crisis with clear solutions and a growing network of people committed to change. The laws passed in 2024 are a major step forward, but we need community power to make them work and to keep building momentum for more reforms.

We can end gun violence together, and now is the time to act. Join Michigan United’s Project 3.5 today and help build a Michigan where every child, parent, and neighbor feels safe and supported — no matter their ZIP code.

Organize to End Gun Violence With Michigan United’s Project 3.5

Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken health care and immigration systems, protect our environment, end mass incarceration, and make essential services accessible to all. To build that kind of power, we need to organize 3.5% of the state’s population, starting with you.

We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history as we prepare to confront the troubling realities of the current White House administration. Working families are under attack — from Lansing to Washington, D.C. — and we’re fighting back. If you’re wondering what you can do, Michigan United is here for you. We have campaigns in place to protect Michiganders from all forms of injustice, which means you can make a difference in all the areas that matter to you, right here, all in one place.

As a member of Project 3.5, you will gain the listening, communication, and planning skills to become an effective advocate for the people in your neighborhood. This is your chance to become the leader you've always wanted to see. Join us in our quest to create a more just and inclusive society for all.

You can do this in whichever way works best for you. You can also join us as a Michigan United member, volunteer with us, or donate today!