|
Summary of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session
Seven legislative packages were signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer during the 2023-2024 legislative session while both the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate were under Democratic control. They include:
Long Gun Transfers (2023)
Red Flag (2023)
Storage Mandates (2023)
Domestic Violence (2023)
Open Carry Polling Place Ban (2024)
Safe Storage Parental Notification (2024)
Seized & Buyback Firearms Destruction (2024)
The breakdown in cooperation among Democrats during the 2024 lame duck session resulted in the failure to pass a number of additional gun control bills including:
Abolishing Firearms Manufacturer Immunity
Weakening of Local Government Preemption
Capitol & Legislative Buildings Statutory Gun Ban
Home-Built Gun (Ghost Gun) Ban
Bump Stock Ban
Felony Sale to Prohibited Persons
No Sell List
Domestic Violence, Part II
Colored Gun Ban
Imitation Firearms Ban
Vehicle Storage Requirements
Age Increase to 21 for Private Purchases
14-Day Waiting Period
First Half of 2025 Recap
The Michigan Senate Democratic majority returned in 2025 to pass key priorities for the gun control lobby. These include the ghost gun ban, the bump stock ban, and the Capitol gun ban. However, those bills were then referred to the Republican-controlled House Government Operations Committee, leaving them dead for the remainder of the 2025-2026 legislative session.
In addition, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 111, a bill that includes firearm restrictions far broader than even Michigan’s current Red Flag law. SB 111 would allow PPOs to be used to prevent a respondent from purchasing or possessing firearms without any requirement that the petitioner show harm or a real threat of harm, including prior conduct of the respondent or even limitations on the relationship between the petitioner and the respondent. Senate Bill 111 is missing the safeguards that have existed for decades to prevent abuse of Michigan's PPO law. It is far worse than even Michigan's new Red Flag law, which MCRGO opposed last session.
The entire Senate Republican Caucus opposed the bill, which passed the Senate on April 16, 2025, with a vote of 19-18, thanks to the cooperative efforts of Michigan's allied gun groups to mobilize a grassroots response from gun owners. The Senate's party-line vote has doomed the bill's progress in the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives.
Spring 2025 Progress in the Michigan House of Representatives
House Republicans introduced legislation to repeal last session's Red Flag law as House Bills 4139-4140 and legislation to repeal the Capitol Gun Ban as House Bill 4756. MCRGO supports the bills.
MCRGO also supports House Bill 4586, which would lower the age of obtaining a CPL from 21 to 18.
The partisan division in the Michigan Legislature makes it unlikely that these bills will receive consideration this session. Along with constitutional carry legislation introduced in June by Senate Republicans, they serve as a starting point in the event of pro-gun majorities next session.
Since passing the House in mid-March, House Bills 4025-4026 have stalled in the Senate. They would extend the sales and use tax exemption on firearms safety devices, including gun safes.
House Bill 4285 is the only gun bill introduced to date that is likely to reach the governor's desk. It would provide firearms safety instruction through MDNR's hunter safety class as an optional elective program in grades 6-12. The firearms handling portion would be taught off-campus.
Senate District 35 Special Election Update
Last November, former State Senator Kristen McDonald-Rivet (D-Bay City) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving Michigan State Senate District 35 seat vacant. It is the longest legislative vacancy in Michigan history—extending for nearly 1 ½ years, from early January 2005 until the vote is certified following the May 5, 2026 special election, which Governor Whitmer called on August 29, 2025.
The district covers portions of Saginaw County, Bay County, and Midland County. All three counties have been trending Republican. State Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) had been considered the frontrunner for the special election. However, on Friday, September 12, Schuette said he would not run for the special election, opting to seek re-election to his current state house seat. This development renders the special election a close contest.
If control of the Michigan Senate were not at stake, none of this would matter. At present, Democrats hold a 19-18 majority in that chamber. However, if Republicans win the vacant Michigan State Senate District 35 seat and the Senate is restored to 38 members, 20 affirmative votes will be necessary to pass legislation. If a vote is tied 19-19, Democratic Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist could break the tie. But the lieutenant governor can only vote in the case of a tie. If a Republican member does not vote and no tie exists, Senate Democrats are no longer able to control the passage of legislation with only 19 votes. This scenario would include future gun control bills. It would also diminish Democrats' chances of holding the Michigan Senate in 2027-2028.
Summer 2025 Developments
The Michigan Legislature remained in session this summer as work continued on the state budget. House Republicans introduced legislation to provide additional protection to shooting ranges under the Michigan Sport Shooting Ranges Act, legislation to allow self-defense devices that use conducted electrical energy CD3 technology, and a bill to waive concealed pistol license requirements for National Guard military police. Michigan's allied gun groups are currently working on legislation to allow school districts to designate certain trained staff to carry concealed.
| 
