Dear Friend,

Today, I issued a proclamation marking June 7, 2024, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Michigan.

Gun violence is a uniquely American problem, and we must take action to keep Michiganders safe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands in their community. Today, we honor those we have lost to gun violence, support survivors, and commit ourselves to taking action to protect public safety and save lives.

Last year, I worked with my partners in the Michigan Legislature to sign four commonsense gun violence prevention laws to establish universal background checks, safe storage requirements, extreme risk protection orders, and stronger protections for domestic violence survivors.

Let?s keep working together to reduce violence and save lives.

Now in Effect in Michigan: Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Laws

All of the major commonsense gun violence prevention laws that I signed last year are now in effect. These are long-overdue steps we are proud to take that will save lives.

Universal background checks for all gun purchases will help keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals, domestic abusers, and people on terrorism watch lists and no-fly lists. Background checks also help law enforcement stay safe on the job and solve crimes more easily.

Safe storage requirements will help ensure that children do not accidentally get their hands on firearms or ammunition in the home and cause harm to themselves or others. Responsible gun owners will tell you how important it is to keep your guns locked up in your home.

Extreme risk protection orders, or red flag laws, will allow family, mental health providers, or law enforcement concerned about someone seeking to harm themselves or others to get a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms. When someone is a proven danger to themselves or others, law enforcement can now step in to stop them from committing domestic violence or another crime. ?

Banning Firearms for Domestic Violence Offenders

In November 2023, I signed bipartisan, commonsense gun violence prevention bills banning those convicted of domestic violence from buying, owning, or transporting firearms for eight years after sentencing.

Keeping Michiganders ? especially young women ? safe and healthy is a top priority, and these bills will take long overdue steps to help ensure that violent criminals cannot harm others and that survivors of domestic violence are protected from further violence.

These laws are now in effect and will help prevent abusers from accessing firearms.

Investing in Public Safety

As a former prosecutor, it is a top priority of mine to keep our communities safe.

That?s why we have invested over $1.5 billion in public safety, working closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods.

That?s why we launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, which has removed more than 550 illegal firearms from the hands of criminals before they could be used in the commission of a crime.

And that?s why we funded and proposed expanding the Office of Community Violence Intervention, using evidence-based solutions to tackle the root causes of community violence.

Gun Violence Awareness Day was initiated to honor the life of Hadiya Pendleton who was tragically shot and killed at age 15. By wearing orange today, like a group of Hadiya?s classmates first did on June 7, 2013, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence, honor the lives of gun violence victims and survivors, and renew our commitment to reduce gun violence.

Let?s keep working together to reduce gun violence and save lives.

Together, we?re building a stronger, safer Michigan.? ?

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor