Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is now reportedly considering pushing through new gun control legislation in light of her significant victory in the midterm elections.
In an interview published Wednesday, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer told Bridge Michigan that gun control is now a primary priority as she begins her second term with Democratic majorities in both chambers of the state legislature after massive electoral victories for Democrats throughout the state.
Democrats in the state had already presented a red flag bill, as well as other gun prohibitions, and Whitmer now feels further the legislation is within legislators’ grasp.
The governor used the recent school massacre in Oxford, Michigan, as justification for enacting stricter gun control measures.
On November 30, 2021, four pupils at Oxford High Campus were killed by a classmate who opened fire in the school.
Many conservatives are concerned about a proposed red flag bill, Senate Bill No. 856, which would empower a court to order the confiscation of weapons from someone who is deemed a risk to themselves or others.
Along with the red flag rule, Whitmer also wants to prohibit anyone from purchasing weapons from private sellers without first undergoing a background check, and she also wants to require gun owners with children in the house to store firearms in a lockbox.
Following the election last Tuesday, Democrats took control of the state legislature for the first time since 1983.
The party will have a one-vote lead in the state House and believes it will gain a two-seat advantage in the Senate, though ballots in several contests are still being tabulated.
However, with such thin margins in both legislative houses, Democrats will likely need to work together closely in order to accomplish any meaningful gun reform.
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