The new anti-gun “red flag” bill was signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Monday, May 22. After the state’s second horrific shooting this year, lawmakers felt compelled to act. It gives people close to prospective shooters a chance to speak out about their worries about the shooter’s mental health, which, if left untreated, might have fatal consequences.
NEW LAW — Gov. Whitmer is going to sign Michigan's so called "red flag" gun control law this afternoon. https://t.co/sTq348uXe3
— ABC12WJRT (@ABC12WJRT) May 22, 2023
According to Newsmax, Michigan is one of 16 states that have established the regulation on firearms with California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, and New York. It comes after the state of Minnesota signed a bill requiring background checks on those buying firearms only last week.
Whitmer reportedly signed the new law into effect in Detroit, a city plagued by gun violence in the state, according to the Associated Press. Former Democratic congresswoman from Arizona Gabby Giffords, who was shot in the head in 2011 and now has permanent brain damage, was present. She was accompanied by several survivors of gun tragedy and progressive legislators.
Too often, Whitmer said, families of potential shooters have tried to contact authorities and “expressed concern in advance about that mass shooter’s intentions” without success. Hopefully, authorities will be able to take preventative measures soon. The adjustment will take place in the spring of 2019.
According to NPR, the majority of Americans are in favor of red flag legislation, but some conservative groups are wary of the potential slippery slopes of gun confiscation. There are some Michigan sheriffs who think the new law is unconstitutional because it restricts the right to bear arms. They’ve promised they won’t carry out the rule.
Family members, roommates, ex-significant others, mental health experts, and law enforcement officials in Michigan may soon be able to petition the court to remove weapons from the custody of a mentally unstable person. A judge will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to proceed with a case, and then another two weeks to schedule a hearing. The person will be disarmed for a period of one year unless they can demonstrate that they pose no danger to himself or others.
