LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Nearly 850 illegal firearms have been seized across Michigan as part of an ongoing statewide initiative aimed at reducing gun violence, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday.
The effort, known as Operation Safe Neighborhoods, has led to 8,663 compliance checks on felony offenders since its launch. In addition to firearms, law enforcement officials also recovered illegal drugs and ammunition during the sweeps.
“Every Michigander deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We’ve taken nearly 850 illegal guns off the street, making real progress to protect our communities and prevent violence before it happens.”
The initiative is a collaboration between Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) agents and local law enforcement. It targets probationers and parolees who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to their criminal histories. According to MDOC, Michigan currently supervises around 32,000 probationers and 8,600 parolees, many of whom have past gun-related convictions.
“Removing guns from individuals who cannot legally possess them is one tangible action we can take to help reduce harm,” said Michigan State Police Director Col. James F. Grady II. “Our troopers see the deadly results and devastating impact of illegal guns every day.”
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, especially in underserved areas.
“Removing hundreds of illegal firearms from our streets is more than a statistic—it’s about saving lives and giving families peace of mind,” Gilchrist said.
Operation Safe Neighborhoods builds on the governor’s MI Safe Communities initiative, launched in 2021, which invests in law enforcement, job opportunities, education, and justice system reforms.
