Continuing their commitment to protecting Michiganders — including children — from senseless acts of gun violence, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday, March 22, to require the safe storage of firearms.

House Bills 4144 and 4139 would require unattended firearms to be safely stored if accessible by a minor and update the sentencing guidelines, respectively, while House Bills 4141 and 4140 would remove sales and use taxes from firearm safety device purchases, such as safes, lock boxes, and trigger and barrel locks, through the end of 2024.

Firearms are the leading cause of death for children age 1-17 in the U.S., with American children three times more likely to be shot and killed than die by drowning. Michigan Democrats are doing the work to keep kids safe by requiring firearms to be stored securely.

The bills now head to the Senate for consideration and a vote.