LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Tuesday was a day of advocacy at Michigan’s Capitol for gun violence prevention groups. Lawmakers, nonprofits, and gun violence survivors shared their stories and gave updates on the most recent action surrounding reform in the state.
The group Moms Demand Action has been pushing for gun safety laws nationwide since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, and spent the day advocating for more change in Michigan.
The past few years, the state has passed universal background checks, safe storage, and extreme risk protection order laws, but the Gun Violence Prevention Coalition said it’s not enough.
Angela Ferrell-Zabala is the executive director of Moms Demand Action. At the rally, she highlighted different ways Michigan could increase gun safety. At the top of that list is holding firearm manufacturers accountable for their weapons.
“We’re calling on lawmakers here to tackle the crisis at its source, holding the gun industry accountable for profiting while our families grieve,” Ferrell-Zabala said. “They make deadlier weapons, they market them in the most irresponsible ways imaginable, and they look the other way when guns end up in the wrong hands.”
Students, mothers, and gun owners in the group said they’re pushing for corporate accountability, but are also talking with lawmakers about resources for domestic violence survivors, and more support for community violence intervention to start dismantling gun violence at the source.
Some house republicans are working to repeal the legislation already in place, but Senate leaders say more reform is a priority, and no repeal will be taken up with Democrats in control.
