New Law Effects Michigan Gun Owners With Children

Michigan's new gun laws, which went into effect on February 13, 2024, include a new law that directly impacts gun owners with young children in the state. In 2020 firearms became the number one cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States, surpassing motor vehicles and these new laws are meant to directly address this alarming trend.

Get our free mobile app

To protect minors from accidental or suicidal deaths involving firearms, the state legislature penned and passed a new secure storage law for gun owners with minor children. Let's examine the details and penalties associated with violating Michigan's new law.

Michigan Gun Owners With Minors Impacted by Michigan's New Secure Storage Law

Public Act 17 of 2023 states that if you are a gun owner with minor children (under 18) living in your home or if it is known that a minor will be on your property, you are required by law to keep all unattended firearms unloaded and locked. If a Michigan gun owner fails to do this, and their is an incident involving a minor and your firearm, the following penalties may apply under Public Act 16 of 2023,

• If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner: a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and injures themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts serious impairment of a body function on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts death on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 67% of accidental deaths involving firearms and minor or adolescent children involved the shooter playing with or showing the gun to others. An alarming 76% of the guns used in accidental deaths or unintentional injuries nationwide were unlocked, and 91% of them were already loaded.

While these laws are already being followed by Michigan's responsible gun owners, even the most careful outdoor enthusiast or hobby firearm owner can make a mistake, showing the need to exercise additional caution. Michigan's new safe storage law is meant to keep accidents from happening. Here's hoping it works.