New law requires destruction of guns turned in during community buybacks
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State police in Michigan will be required to destroy guns collected during community buybacks or other efforts, under legislation signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
State police in 2024 acknowledged that a previous disposal method destroyed only the frame or receiver of the firearm. A private company was recycling and selling the other parts, The New York Times reported.
State police last March announced that they would destroy entire guns turned over by local police departments. Now that policy has been written into law.
“Our current practice of destroying all parts of the firearm will remain the standard now and for the future,” said Col. James Grady II, director of the state police.
State police handled more than 11,000 guns in 2023, spokesperson Shanon Banner said.
The Rev. Chris Yaw of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield said gun destruction after buybacks is what “Michiganders want and expect.”
Yaw’s church in suburban Detroit has collected hundreds of guns in exchange for gift cards to area stores. He said the line of cars was 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long during an event in 2022.
State police in 2024 acknowledged that a previous disposal method destroyed only the frame or receiver of the firearm. A private company was recycling and selling the other parts, The New York Times reported.
State police last March announced that they would destroy entire guns turned over by local police departments. Now that policy has been written into law.
“Our current practice of destroying all parts of the firearm will remain the standard now and for the future,” said Col. James Grady II, director of the state police.
State police handled more than 11,000 guns in 2023, spokesperson Shanon Banner said.
The Rev. Chris Yaw of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Southfield said gun destruction after buybacks is what “Michiganders want and expect.”
Yaw’s church in suburban Detroit has collected hundreds of guns in exchange for gift cards to area stores. He said the line of cars was 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long during an event in 2022.
Nessel celebrates bill signing expanding hate crimes legislation
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Wednesday issued the following statement praising Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on the signing of House Bills 5400-5401, sponsored by state Representatives Noah Arbit and Kristian Grant.
“Our state’s previous hate crime laws were inadequate to deter and properly prosecute those that target Michigan residents with fear and hatred, simply for who they are. Hate Crimes are intended to send a message, an inherently violent message of intolerance, to vulnerable communities. At the Department of Attorney General, and particularly in our Hate Crimes unit, we know that stronger laws such as these can help us better protect Michigan residents from the scourge of hatred in our state.
“Over the past decade, we have seen not just an uptick in hate crimes, but a normalization of racist, antisemitic and bigoted language, symbolism and actions – including a close adviser to the President giving the Nazi salute during an inaugural rally just this week. It’s incumbent upon those of us with the authority to unilaterally denounce such sentiments; otherwise, there’s no stopping this behavior.
“I applaud the Governor for signing these long overdue changes to the state’s statutes.”
“Our state’s previous hate crime laws were inadequate to deter and properly prosecute those that target Michigan residents with fear and hatred, simply for who they are. Hate Crimes are intended to send a message, an inherently violent message of intolerance, to vulnerable communities. At the Department of Attorney General, and particularly in our Hate Crimes unit, we know that stronger laws such as these can help us better protect Michigan residents from the scourge of hatred in our state.
“Over the past decade, we have seen not just an uptick in hate crimes, but a normalization of racist, antisemitic and bigoted language, symbolism and actions – including a close adviser to the President giving the Nazi salute during an inaugural rally just this week. It’s incumbent upon those of us with the authority to unilaterally denounce such sentiments; otherwise, there’s no stopping this behavior.
“I applaud the Governor for signing these long overdue changes to the state’s statutes.”
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