KALAMAZOO (WWJ) – People convicted of domestic violence in Michigan will now be barred from possessing guns for nearly a decade.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed a package of legislation into law that will prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence from buying, owning, or transporting firearms for eight years after sentencing.
Her administration says the new law will help “ensure that violent criminals cannot harm others and that survivors of domestic violence are protected from further violence.”
“Keeping Michiganders – especially young women – safe and healthy is a top priority, and these bills will take long overdue steps to protect individuals from abuse,” Whitmer said, per a press release.
Speaking at Monday’s signing in Kalamazoo, Whitmer said the bills are “based on a simple idea.”
“If you have been found guilty in court for violently assaulting your partner, you should not be able to access a deadly weapon that you could use to further threaten, harm or kill them,” she said.
Others speaking at the event say domestic violence survivors live in constant fear and these laws will help protect those survivors.
“The reality for survivors of intimate partner violence is that they live in a constant fear and constant danger,” said Danielle Hagaman-Clark from the Attorney General's office. “The statistics tell the frightening tale: abusers with firearms are five times more likely to kill their female victims than abusers without firearms. And every month an average of 70 people are shot and killed by an intimate partner.”
House Bill 4945 updates the sentencing guidelines to prohibit those convicted of domestic violence from buying or owning a gun or ammunition for eight years. Senate Bill 471 prohibits the possession or use of firearms and ammunition by persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence.
The third bill of the package, Senate Bill 528, defines additional domestic violence offenses that result in disqualification.
Earlier this year Whitmer sign another package of gun reform laws, establishing universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and extreme risk protection orders, otherwise known as "red flag laws."