Three states push new approaches to gun safety
As the 2024 election year ramps up, some states have reinforced gun laws and regulations citing safety concerns, while other states have worked to protect the constitutional right to gun ownership. Here are three states that have made — or have tried to make — notable changes to gun laws.
Michigan
Michigan has seen several new gun-safety measures in the wake of the Michigan State University shooting in East Lansing in early 2023. Most recently, a new rule requires state police to send all guns from buyback programs to a scrap metal facility to be destroyed.
Gun buyback programs allow people to surrender their firearms without penalties in order to reduce the number of firearms in circulation. According to a December report in The New York Times, cities across Michigan were handing off the bought-back firearms to companies that disposed of the serial number but would sell the rest of the parts.
“This new method will improve public safety by ensuring all parts of a firearm are destroyed, never to be used again,” Michigan State Police director Col. James F. Grady II told The New York Times in March.
California
California’s most recent attempted regulation was a ban on high-frequency firearms purchases. The attempt, while worthwhile to most Democrats, was struck down in federal court this month. According to Reuters, the regulation widely known as the “one-gun-amonth law” restricts California residents from purchasing more than one firearm within a 30-day period.
The ban will remain in place for a short time to allow the state to appeal the ruling. Democratic state lawmakers, who passed the legislation this month, specified it was meant to prevent people from buying guns on behalf of people who otherwise would not legally be able to on their own.
But that argument lost in court. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, U.S. District Judge William Hayes said in his ruling the law lacked historical precedent, pointing to a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights.
Colorado
Lawmakers in New Mexico’s neighbor to the north are attempting to pass many gun laws during the state’s legislative session, set to end in May. The only gun-related bill proposed by the Senate, Senate Bill 24-131, would prohibit carrying firearms (concealed or otherwise) in so-called sensitive spaces like parks, hospitals, recreational centers, amusement parks and any form of property holding a protest and/or demonstration. This bill is still under consideration, according to Colorado Newsline.
In the House, representatives are attempting to pass four gun-related bills, including House Bill 24-353, which would require firearm sellers to obtain a state-issued permit — on the condition of having no gun law violations within the last three years — and for their employees to complete an annual training. There are more than 2,200 federal firearms licensees in Colorado, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Selling guns without this state permit would be punishable with a fine up to $250,000.
Another proposal, House Bill 24-1270, would require firearm owners to have an insurance policy providing protection for accidental discharges. Meanwhile, House Bill 24-1310 would prevent school employees from carrying a firearm, concealed or otherwise, on school grounds. It is currently legal for school employees to carry concealed firearms on school grounds. In fact, most Colorado school districts train some school staff such as teachers to be armed. This bill, if passed, would prevent that.
Finally, House Bill 24-1292 is an attempt to prohibit both the manufacture and sale of an “assault weapon.” This definition includes the majority of semi-automatic rifles. This bill does not include banning the possession of assault weapons from people who have previously owned these types of weapons. This bill is sponsored by two Democrats, Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernández, both of Denver, but is expected to be defeated, according to political analysts interviewed by Colorado Newsline.