4/14/23 - Gov. Whitmer Signs Gun Control Measure On MSU Campus

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law new gun control measures that include universal background checks and safe storage requirements.

East Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the measures she signed into law will work at curbing gun violence and that this legislation marked the most significant firearm restrictions Michigan has enacted in almost 30 years. 

The new laws will take effect next year and will expand background check requirements for firearm purchases and impose storage standards for guns kept.  

Hundreds of people gathered Thursday morning for the governor's bill signing ceremony.  Passage of the bills followed weeks of protesting at the state Capitol where activists called on lawmakers to make changes. Lt. Governor Gilchrist II also asked for a moment of silence to remember those lost to gun violence.

Some lawmakers have contended the bills won't prevent future shootings but will infringe on constitutional rights. 

Tom Lambert, legislative director for the organization Michigan Open Carry, said the new laws conflicted with a June 2022 decision that expanded gun rights. 

On Thursday, the first legal challenge of the gun control legislation was made. Two Michigan gun rights groups sued challenging the procedures taken to pass the bills, not the constitutionality of the new laws.