As Lawmakers Return to Lansing for Session, Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation Must Take Center Stage

Following an election where Michigan voters made it clear gun violence prevention is a top priority, lawmakers return to the State Capitol for the first day of the state legislative session in Michigan with a gun sense majority in the House, Senate and governor’s mansion. This legislative session, lawmakers have an opportunity to prioritize critical measures to address gun violence like an extreme risk law, background checks, requiring secure firearm storage, and laws to prohibit domestic abusers from possessing firearms. The legislature will also have the opportunity to sustain funding for critical community violence intervention work.

Due to the tireless work of Moms Demand Action Volunteers campaigning and running for office, including volunteers who helped secure the state legislature, there is now a Gun Sense Trifecta and gun safety supporters now have control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s mansion – and a new opportunity to push for critical common sense gun safety legislation. In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers have the chance to carry out the will of the people and send comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk.

More information on Gun Violence in Michigan:

• In an average year, 1,270 people die and 2,437 are wounded by guns in Michigan.
• Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Michigan, and an average of 95 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 39% of these deaths are suicides and 57% are homicides.
• Communities of color disproportionately bear the burden of our country’s gun violence crisis every single day. Black Michiganders are 22 times more likely than white people to die by gun homicide. 
• In Michigan, 58% of gun deaths are suicide and 40% are homicides. This is compared to 59% and 39% nationwide, respectively. 
• Gun violence in Michigan costs $1,683 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Michigan $16.8 billion each year, of which $380.5 million is paid by taxpayers

More information about gun violence in Michigan is available here.

If you have questions, or to request an interview with a volunteer from Michigan Moms Demand Action about advocacy and gun violence prevention in the state, please reach out to [email protected].