LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) — Michigan House Democrats are introducing new legislation aimed at curbing gun violence by cracking down on untraceable firearms and tightening oversight of gun dealers.
The bills, unveiled Tuesday during a “Silence Gun Violence” day of action at the Capitol, would create a statewide ban on ghost guns and require all gun dealers in the state to maintain a state-issued license. Representatives Kara Hope, Morgan Foreman, and Matt Longjohn all stood to speak bout their bills.
Ghost guns are untraceable firearms often purchased online and assembled at home. Because they lack serial numbers and are not subject to background checks, supporters of the legislation say the weapons pose a significant threat to public safety.
If passed, the ghost gun legislation would make it illegal to possess or assemble an unserialized firearm in Michigan. Individuals who already own a ghost gun would have 18 months to bring it into compliance, and moving forward, hobbyists who build firearms would have 10 days after completion to serialize them.
A second bill would establish a state-level licensing system for firearm dealers, giving Michigan regulators more power to enforce safety laws. Currently, gun sellers are overseen solely by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which often lacks the resources to inspect dealers regularly. Some are reviewed only once a decade.
Lawmakers cited a 2022 Brady Campaign study showing that 90% of guns used in crimes are traced back to just 5% of sellers. The same year, more than 17,000 firearms were reported lost or stolen by federally licensed dealers — about 45 per day.
“Even though it’s illegal for felons to possess guns, many violent crimes are still being committed by repeat offenders,” Hope said. “If they aren’t allowed to buy them legally, where are the guns coming from?”
The proposed legislation would allow the state to revoke licenses from dealers found violating the law, including those who sell to underage buyers or known traffickers.
Advocates and lawmakers say the bills build on Michigan’s recent progress in gun safety, including universal background checks and measures to prevent domestic abusers from accessing firearms. Their goal is to close loopholes and prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands.
“These are tools for people who intend to do harm and get away with it… The legislation should go somewhere.” Foreman said. “House Republicans should take the safety of Michiganders and make that a paramount issue… I’m going to do the best I can to push it to make sure that it goes all the way across the finish line.”
The bills have not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing.
