Bills require schools to provide parents informational material about gun violence prevention laws
LANSING, Mich., May 15, 2024 — Michigan Democrats have taken action and passed several pieces of legislation that reduce gun violence, including laws that require the safe storage of firearms when children are in the home. To further reduce unsafe firearm practices and keep kids safe, state Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) and Julie Brixie (D-East Lansing) introduced House Bills 5450 and 5451. These bills require schools to send home information about the new safe storage laws. They passed the House Committee on Education yesterday.
“Making sure that our kids are safe is at the heart of this legislation,” MacDonell said. “With the passage of these bills from committee, we are one step closer to keeping our kids safer from gun violence. Ensuring that parents know the new rules regarding the safe storage of guns is one of the best ways we can protect our kids, both in our homes and our schools. Parental vigilance can prevent children from accidentally hurting themselves by playing with guns or purposely using their parents’ guns to hurt themselves or others. The legislature can and must do everything in its power to prevent gun violence.
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State Reps. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), left, and Julie Brixie (D-East Lansing) testify in the House Education Committee on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in the House Office Building in Lansing.
MacDonell sponsored HB 5450, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and provide information regarding the safe storage of firearms to schools. Brixie sponsored HB 5451, which requires school districts to provide that information to parents and legal guardians.
“Enough is enough. It’s time for us to put an end to the gun violence that has taken the lives of so many of our young people,” Brixie said. “With this legislation, we will provide parents with guidance on the safe storage laws, helping to protect more kids and adults alike from accidental or intentional shootings.”
Michigan Democrats also passed a number of other bills to help curb gun violence, from establishing extreme risk protection orders to requiring universal background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers.
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