(ConservativeHub.com) – On May 22, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved new legislation that would keep guns out of the hands of people who are likely to hurt themselves or others. This comes after a mass shooting at Michigan State University earlier in 2023 which resulted in three students dying, according to The Hill.
The outlet reported that the bill Whitmer signed makes Michigan one of a number of states to implement red flag laws. These types of laws are usually enacted 90 days following the end of the legislative session, and they enable people to petition for loved ones to have their firearms taken away if they think they might hurt themselves or others.
In a statement, Whitmer pointed out that Michigan is now one of the states to have Extreme Risk Protection Orders in place. She added that it was time for action that would help keep Americans safe and that it was past the time for “thoughts and prayers.”
The bill signing came after a number of sheriffs opposed the existence of red flag laws and threatened that they would not be enforcing the law. According to The Hill, Livingston County’s sheriff spoke with Fox 2 Detroit recently, saying that such laws were “unconstitutional.”
The Associated Press reported that several sheriffs had also informed them that they were refusing to uphold the red flag law. The outlet further pointed out that more than half of the counties in Michigan have passed resolutions that designate them as Second Amendment sanctuaries, which means that they oppose all the laws that could challenge people’s gun rights.
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