On February 13, a series of changes to gun laws in Michigan went into effect. The changes were passed by the legislature last March and signed into law by Governor Whitmer in April 2023. The new laws require individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it’s reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present.
If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm and any of the following occurs, they are guilty of a crime:
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- If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner: a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and injures themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts serious impairment of a body function on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
- If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts death on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
To ensure federally licensed firearms dealers communicate the new requirements to their customers, the Department of Health and Human Services is working with the Attorney General’s Office to provide dealers with safety information on the use and storage of firearms, requirements and penalties of the new laws. To help defray the cost of purchasing firearm safety devices, additional legislation made these devices exempt from sales and use taxes through December 24, 2024.
