In Wake of Michigan State University Shooting, and Following Advocacy from Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, Michigan Senate Lawmakers Introduce Critical Gun Safety Measures

Just Days after Shooting at MSU, Michigan Senate Introduces Extreme Risk, Background Check, and Secure Storage Legislation

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statements applauding Michigan Senate lawmakers for introducing three critical and foundational gun violence prevention bills, designed to keep firearms out of dangerous hands. It comes just days after the horrific shooting at Michigan State University, in which three students were shot and killed, and five others shot and wounded by a shooter who had previously exhibited dangerous warning signs. The bills introduced today include:  

• Legislation to require the secure storage of firearms and ammunition; 
• Legislation to require background checks for all unlicensed gun sales; and, 
• Legislation to create an Extreme Risk law, which temporarily removes firearms from those who pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. 

“No one should have to fear for their life when going to school. No family or friends should have to know the pain of knowing the victims” said Annie Heitmeier, a third year student at Michigan State University and a volunteer with Students Demand Action. “We are thankful to Michigan lawmakers for taking immediate steps to protect students’ lives. This is the bare minimum that our legislators can do to ensure their safety. We must honor the lives of the victims with tireless effort and work to make sure this never happens again.”

“Yet again, our country mourns the killing of children at their place of education,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “This senseless gun violence needs to end and we are thankful Michigan lawmakers are taking gun violence seriously. We look forward to working alongside them and passing these critical gun safety measures.”

“Once again, America’s mass shooting generation is rising up and urging adults to do something about a gun violence crisis that has torn apart so many young lives,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “There’s no better way for lawmakers to honor the victims of the Michigan State University mass shooting than by passing measures to prevent future tragedies.”

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for kids, teens, and college-age students and in Michigan, in 2023 alone, there have already been at least three incidents of gunfire on school grounds, including this week’s shooting at Michigan State University. Across the country, there have been 299 mass shootings since 2009, resulting in 1,678 people shot and killed and 1,087 people shot and wounded. This includes at least eight mass shootings in Michigan, resulting in 37 people shot and killed and 11 people shot and wounded.

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. 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.