(WXYZ) — Legislators announced a bill package to expand universal background checks for guns to cover all types of firearms.
The bills were announced by Sens. Rosemary Bayer, Stephanie Chang and Jeremy Moss along with Reps. Robert Wittenberg, Brenda Carter and Jon Hoadley.
The senators say it would amend the current state law that only requires background checks for pistols. Instead, mandatory background checks for all types of firearms would be required.
“To keep our residents safe, we must update Michigan’s existing laws to reflect the changing society that we live in,” Sen. Bayer said in a press release. “It’s our duty as lawmakers to ensure that people are as safe as possible, whether that be in their homes, at work, in school, in houses of worship or anywhere they may be.”
The legislation would require state law to include all firearms.
“Families across our state deserve to feel safe and secure in their homes and on their streets knowing that criminals are not able to readily access firearms,” Rep. Wittenberg said. “Michigan residents understand the critical role background checks play in keeping our communities safe, which is why it is so important that we extend this provision to include all firearms.”
Additionally, the legislation would update the criminal procedure and sentencing guidelines for a person who forges information on their firearm license application, provides a flase statement on a firearms sales record or knowingly sells a firearm wihtout performing a background check.
