Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan, signed several gun control bills into law on Thursday. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law several gun control laws. Six new measures are in place to restrict 2A rights, including background checks and policies on “safe storage”.

The package, called “Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation”, was passed by a majority of Democrats in the legislature and then sent to the governor last week.

Michigan Democrats have worked on these laws since over a year. However, their efforts were slowed down by the Republican-led previous legislature. After the flip of the House in November, Democrats were able to pass the bills by voting along party lines.

Republican state senator Joseph Bellino, a Republican from the state of California, was vocal in his opposition to the new measures. He called them “severely flawed”, and pointed out that none would have prevented the MSU shooter.

Two 2A groups – Great Lakes Gun Rights & Michigan Open Carry – have also filed a lawsuit against the state legislature, claiming that they weren’t given enough time to express their opposition to the bills.

These bills were however introduced after the MSU shooting. Due to this, Democratic legislators have been able force these bills through the Senate and House.

Laws on “Universal Background Checks” for Gun Control

Whitmer stated in a release that “universal background checks” and “safe storage” are steps that have been long overdue. They will save lives, by keeping guns away from criminals, domestic abusers, and children at home.

Two of the packages bills are aimed at increasing background checks. These bills require a background check for any purchase of a firearm in the state, regardless of whether it is a private sale or a business.

“Safe Storage” Gun Control Laws

A requirement for “safe storage” is also part of the package of gun control. The new laws include “penalties” for leaving or storing a gun in a place where a minor can access it.

One of the laws, in addition to the safe-storage requirement, removes the sales tax on firearm storage equipment so that it is more affordable for gun owners.

Gun Control in the United States

In recent years, states that claim to be improving safety and preventing gun violence, have pushed for more universal background checks, storage laws and red-flag laws.

These laws have not done much to prevent guns from falling into the hands of those who want to harm others. In fact, these laws have made it harder for law-abiding people to defend themselves.

Bellino said that Michigan’s new gun laws will create a false sense of security while limiting the right of everyone to own a weapon to hunt or defend themselves.