Michigan's Red Flag Law Invoked Multiple Times to Confiscate Guns

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Michigan's red flag law, which allows law enforcement and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous, has been invoked multiple times since its implementation in 2023. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced gun storage charges against a Flint man whose 2-year-old daughter accidentally shot herself in the face with his unsecured firearm on Valentine's Day 2024.

Why it matters

Red flag laws are a controversial gun control measure aimed at preventing firearm-related violence and suicide. Their use highlights the ongoing debate around balancing public safety with individual rights, as well as the challenges of ensuring gun owners properly secure their weapons.

The details

Under Michigan's red flag law, known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, law enforcement officers or family members can petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. The law has been used in several cases across the state since taking effect in 2023, though the exact number of times it has been invoked is unclear.

• The Extreme Risk Protection Order Act took effect in Michigan in 2023.
• On Valentine's Day 2024, a 2-year-old girl in Flint accidentally shot herself in the face with her father's unsecured firearm.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Flint man out on bail.