LANSING — Michigan’s newly issued gun violence report is putting forward a set of proposals for state agencies and lawmakers to consider.
The recommendations include raising the state’s firearm purchasing age to 21, banning the possession of assault weapons and creating a legal framework for temporary gun storage services.
“Deaths from firearms affect all of our communities — this is something that is going to take all of us in order to move the needle,” said Jessica Roche, managing director of the University of Michigan’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention.
Roche is part of the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which is made up of public health experts, law enforcement and community leaders.
Researchers in the task force suggest that lawmakers prioritize passing civil immunity protections for retailers that offer a temporary gun storage service.
“A space where firearm owners can store their firearms outside of the home for any reason is life changing and could be life saving in some situations —or just convenient,” Roche said.
Gun stores or ranges that might offer this service say that current Michigan law leaves them open to potential liability concerns.
They worry they could be held responsible if a firearm they store is later used in a crime.
“In order for us to encourage the out-of-home storage and removal of firearms during this moment of crisis, civil immunity policies for temporary firearm storage are important,” said Elisha Brown, gun violence prevention coordinator for Michigan United. “We want to be able to define clear parameters when civil immunity applies, and establish reasonable firearm storage.”
The temporary storage could only be utilized willingly by a gun’s owner.
“People are going out of state and want to have somewhere where they can store their firearms, where they know that they’ll be secure and safe,” Roche said. “Or it’s someone whose family members are going through crisis, and they just want to not have access to lethal means in the home for a temporary period of time.”
Those concerned for a loved one possessing guns would still have to file an Extreme Risk Protection Order, which are executed by law enforcement.
Anyone going through a crisis or worried for a loved one can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
The report also put forward other legislative recommendations, like raising the gun purchase age and banning the sale and possession of assault weapons.
But researchers say that the immediate attention should be turned toward raising awareness of the state’s current safe storage and ‘red flag’ laws.
“We have things that can happen right now in the state of Michigan — legislative changes like those things are going to take time,” Roche said.