State Safe Storage Grade: A

Summary: Starting Feb. 13 2024, firearm owners will be required to keep any unattended weapons unloaded and locked or stored away in a gun safe if a child is in the home. Failing to do so will result in charges and a fine, depending on the outcome if a child gets possession of the firearm.

The state's gun death rate is 12.1 per 100k which is the 20th best in the country according to the (CDC).

• Age and Definition:
  • (1) An individual who stores or leaves a firearm unattended on premises under the individual’s control,
    and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is, or is likely to be, present on the premises, shall do
    1 or more of the following:
    • (a) Store the firearm in a locked box or container.
    • (b) Keep the firearm unloaded and lock the firearm with a locking device that is properly engaged to render
      the firearm inoperable by any individual other than the owner or an authorized user.
  •  (2) An individual who enters onto the premises of another individual, stores or leaves a firearm unattended
    on those premises, and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is, or is likely to be, present on the
    premises, shall do 1 or more of the following:
    • (a) Store the firearm in a locked box or container.
    • (b) Keep the firearm unloaded and lock the firearm with a locking device that is properly engaged to render
      the firearm inoperable by any individual other than the owner or an authorized user.
    • (c) Before entering onto the premises, do both of the following:
    • (i) In the individual’s motor vehicle, store the firearm in a locked box or container in that vehicle, or keep the
      firearm unloaded and lock the firearm with a locking device that is properly engaged to render the firearm
      inoperable by any individual other than the owner or an authorized user.
• Penalty for Death or Injury: 
  • (3) An individual is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine
    of not more than $500.00, or both, if the individual violates subsection (1) or (2) by failing to store or leave a
    firearm in the required manner and as a result of the violation both of the following occur:
    • (a) A minor obtains the firearm.
    • (b) The minor does either of the following:
      • (i) Possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place.
      • (ii) Possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless, or threatening
        manner.
  • (4) If an individual violates subsection (1) or (2) by failing to store or leave a firearm in the required manner
    and, as a result of the violation, a minor obtains the firearm, discharges it and inflicts injury upon the minor or
    any other individual, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or
    a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
  • (5) If an individual violates subsection (1) or (2) by failing to store or leave a firearm in the required manner
    and, as a result of the violation, a minor obtains the firearm, discharges it and inflicts serious impairment of a
    body function upon the minor or any other individual, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by not more
    than 10 years or a fine of not more than $7,500.00, or both.
  • (6) If an individual violates subsection (1) or (2) by failing to store or leave a firearm in the required manner
    and, as a result of the violation, a minor obtains the firearm, discharges it and inflicts death upon the minor or
    any other individual, the individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years
    or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both. (Read Bill Here)
• Exceptions:
  • A minor who does all of the following:
    • (i) Obtains a firearm with the permission of the minor’s parent or guardian.
    • (ii) Uses or possesses the firearm while the minor is under the supervision of the minor’s parent, guardian, or
      any individual who is 18 years of age or older and who is authorized by the person’s parent or guardian.
    • (iii) Uses or possesses the firearm during any of the following
      • (A) The minor’s employment.
      • (B) Ranching or farming.
      • (C) Target practice or instruction in the safe use of a firearm.
      • (b) A minor who obtains a firearm with the permission of the minor’s parent or guardian and who uses or
        possesses the firearm for the purposes of hunting if the minor is in compliance with all applicable hunting laws
      • (c) A minor who obtains a firearm through the minor’s unlawful entry of any premises or the motor vehicle
        where the firearm has been stored.
      • (d) A minor who obtains a firearm while lawfully acting in self-defense or defense of another.
• Gun Status: None
• Safe or Locks Mandated: Dealers must include a trigger lock, gun case, or storage container with each sale.
• Other: The new safe storage laws do not apply to instances of ranching or farming, target practices, hunting or instruction in the safe use of a firearm. It would also not apply should an employed minor need to possess a firearm (Michigan).

Significant Notes: In the wake of a recent shooting, Michigan has recently passed gun safety laws. Read about them here.