Category: End Gun Violence in Michigan

LANSING — Michigan’s newly issued gun violence report is putting forward a set of proposals for state agencies and lawmakers to consider.

The recommendations include raising the state’s firearm purchasing age to 21, banning the possession of assault weapons and creating a legal framework for temporary gun storage services.

“Deaths from firearms affect all of our communities — this is something that is going to take all of us in order to move the needle,” said Jessica Roche, managing director of the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention.

Roche is part of the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which is made up of public health experts, law enforcement and community leaders.

Researchers in the task force suggest that lawmakers prioritize passing civil immunity protections for retailers that offer a temporary gun storage service.

“A space where firearm owners can store their firearms outside of the home for any reason is life changing and could be life saving in some situations —or just convenient,” Roche said.

Gun stores or ranges that might offer this service say that current Michigan law leaves them open to potential liability concerns.