Michigan Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Applaud Governor Gretchen Whitmer Signing Executive Order to Address Gun Violence

The Michigan chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after Governor Gretchen Whitmer today issued an executive order to address gun violence in Michigan and help implement the recently passed Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The executive order will help maximize federal funding provided by the new law, improve data reporting to federal background check databases, and help establish a new Community Violence Intervention Office. 

“We’re grateful that Governor Whitmer is building on her strong history as an ally in the fight to end gun violence with this executive order,” said Mia Reid, an Everytown Survivor Fellow and volunteer with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our state is facing a clear gun violence crisis – and this executive order will ensure that Michigan utilizes the many resources made available by the historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. We’re glad that Governor Whitmer continues to step up and protect our communities from gun violence.”

Last month, President Joe Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, the first major federal gun safety law to pass Congress in nearly 26 years. The legislation establishes an enhanced background check process for gun buyers under age 21, provides federal funding to implement state Red Flag laws, disarms domestic abusers by addressing the dating partner loophole, and funds community violence intervention programs, among other items.

In an average year, 1,270 people die and 2,437 people are wounded by guns in Michigan. Gun violence costs Michigan $16.8 billion each year, of which $380.5 million is paid by taxpayers. Learn more about gun violence in Michigan here.