By Marie E. Matyjaszek
Gun violence is at the forefront of every election, political and legal conversation, and provisions relative to gun safety find their way into domestic relations orders at times. Michigan recently enacted the secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, effective February 13, 2024, aimed at reducing unintentional gun deaths and injuries.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 48,000 firearm related deaths in the United States in 2022, and firearm injuries were in the top five leading causes of death for individuals aged 1 to 44, and the greatest cause of death for those aged 1 to 19.
To help combat this, the new law requires that an individual in control of the premises they are on, who leaves a firearm unattended where he’s aware a minor is or likely to be present, must store it in a locked box or keep it unloaded and locked with a locking device rendering it inoperable. If you are on someone else’s property, you can also store the firearm in your vehicle in a locked box, or keep it unloaded with a locking device. You must lock your vehicle.
Penalties for violations of the law increase depending on what happens with the weapon after a minor obtains it. Like most laws, there are exceptions, such as minors who have the firearm with their guardian’s permission, use it for work, farming or target practice.
Obligations are also set forth for federally licensed firearms dealers who sell in the state of Michigan. If any of this law applies to you or your clients, read the entire statute carefully to ensure compliance.
Individuals can request free gun safety kits through Project ChildSafe by going to its website. After filling in the desired location, a list of participating law enforcement departments will display. Gun safety is imperative to saving lives, and compliance with the new law is extremely important in meeting that goal.
(The author is a Judicial Attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.)
Gun violence is at the forefront of every election, political and legal conversation, and provisions relative to gun safety find their way into domestic relations orders at times. Michigan recently enacted the secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, effective February 13, 2024, aimed at reducing unintentional gun deaths and injuries.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more than 48,000 firearm related deaths in the United States in 2022, and firearm injuries were in the top five leading causes of death for individuals aged 1 to 44, and the greatest cause of death for those aged 1 to 19.
To help combat this, the new law requires that an individual in control of the premises they are on, who leaves a firearm unattended where he’s aware a minor is or likely to be present, must store it in a locked box or keep it unloaded and locked with a locking device rendering it inoperable. If you are on someone else’s property, you can also store the firearm in your vehicle in a locked box, or keep it unloaded with a locking device. You must lock your vehicle.
Penalties for violations of the law increase depending on what happens with the weapon after a minor obtains it. Like most laws, there are exceptions, such as minors who have the firearm with their guardian’s permission, use it for work, farming or target practice.
Obligations are also set forth for federally licensed firearms dealers who sell in the state of Michigan. If any of this law applies to you or your clients, read the entire statute carefully to ensure compliance.
Individuals can request free gun safety kits through Project ChildSafe by going to its website. After filling in the desired location, a list of participating law enforcement departments will display. Gun safety is imperative to saving lives, and compliance with the new law is extremely important in meeting that goal.
(The author is a Judicial Attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.)
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