SB79 proposes amendments to the handgun licensure act, mandating specific safety measures for individuals who leave firearms unattended in places they control or on others’ premises where a minor may be present. Measures include storing the firearm in a locked box, keeping it unloaded and locked, or securing it in a vehicle using these methods. Non-compliance could lead to criminal penalties, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, with potential imprisonment and fines if a minor gains access and engages in specified actions.
The Michigan State House of Representatives passed SB79 on March 22, 2023 by a vote of 61 to 47. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th Amendments, and should not be infringed. SB79 is a gross infringement on that right.