PHOTO: State Rep. Hope (D-Holt) delivers remarks at a press conference during Gun Violence Prevention Week in June 2025, calling for greater accountability from the gun industry.▩ Press Release LANSING, Mich., Sept. 24, 2025 — State Reps. Kara Hope (D-Holt) and Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) introduced legislation today to improve oversight of gun dealers and reduce the flow of illegal firearms in Michigan. Hope’s bill (HB 5065) would require firearm sellers to obtain a state license and follow basic security, training, and reporting standards. Carter’s bill (HB 5066) would require dealers to carry liability insurance and hold them civilly accountable for illegal or negligent sales to unauthorized individuals. “Too many firearms are slipping through the cracks because of outdated oversight and weak enforcement,” Hope said. “There are thousands of guns being lost, stolen or funneled into the illegal market every year, and federal resources alone aren’t enough to address it. My legislation creates a framework for state-level accountability — ensuring that dealers are trained and equipped to prevent straw purchases and theft before they happen.” Federal oversight is limited, with only 9% of federally licensed gun dealers inspected annually, and thousands of guns are lost or stolen from dealers every year. Hope’s bill would close this gap by requiring state licensing, employee background checks, security training and theft prevention measures. Carter’s bill holds a person strictly liable if they sell, transfer or deliver a gun to an individual prohibited from having one, and that individual causes injury, death, or threatens or intimidates another person. It also requires gun dealers to have at least $1 million in liability insurance, both personal injury and property damage coverage for the sale, transfer or delivery of a gun. “Gun violence survivors and their families deserve better than a system that shields bad actors from consequences and allows further tragedies to happen,” Carter said. “If a dealer sells a weapon to someone they shouldn’t — and that weapon is used to harm or kill — there must be a path to justice and accountability.” The legislation has earned support from public safety advocates. “As a gun violence survivor and community activist promoting gun safety, I think it is imperative that we address gun dealers who turn a blind eye to gun traffickers, straw purchases, and individuals prohibited from purchasing firearms,” said Mia Reid, founder of the Charles W. Reid Community Health Center and board member at End Gun Violence Michigan. “We can all agree that we have a collective responsibility to promote gun safety, and Gun Dealer Licensing is one way that gun dealers can do their part.” Both bills have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. |
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