Secure Storage in Michigan

Under a new law that went into effect in 2024, gun owners in Michigan are now required to store guns securely to prevent unauthorized access by children and teens.

To comply with this new law, gun owners must do one of the following when they store or leave a firearm unattended anywhere that it is reasonably likely that a minor (anyone under age 18) might be present:

• Store the firearm in a locked box or container that is specifically designed for the storage of firearms, or
• Keep the firearm unloaded and lock the firearm with a locking device that is properly engaged to render the firearm inoperable by anyone other than the owner or an authorized user.

In addition, if a gun owner is leaving a gun in a parked car in a location where a minor is likely to be present, they are required to both:

• Secure the firearm
  • Store it in a locked box or container that is specifically designed for the storage of firearms in the vehicle, or
  • Keep the firearm unloaded and locked with a locking device that is properly engaged to render the firearm inoperable by anyone other than the owner or an authorized user.
• Lock the car

Gun owners may be subject to criminal penalties if they fail to follow these requirements and a minor gains access to their firearm. There are limited exceptions to these requirements for minors who have permission from their parents to handle firearms or for self defense.

If you’ve made the decision to bring a gun into your home, it’s important to know how responsible gun owners work to keep their families safe by mitigating the inherent risks associated with firearm ownership. Every responsible gun owner securely stores their guns so that they are inaccessible to children and other people who are at risk of harming themselves or others. Here’s why:

• More than 700 children die by gun suicide each year, most often using guns belonging to a family member.
• Nearly 360 children under the age of 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else each year.
• At least one-third of youth gun suicides and unintentional deaths could be prevented with increased secure storage.
• More than 200,000 guns are stolen from individuals every year—a significant portion of those are stolen from cars.

Safety is always an adult responsibility. Kids will be kids, so it’s always an adult’s responsibility to keep children safe. Always assume that curious or impulsive kids may find and touch an unsecured gun, even if they’ve been told not to. If a child handles a gun, a bad decision can quickly become a fatal one. Be SMART adults protect kids by making sure all guns are stored securely, which means they are inaccessible to kids, and by making sure children are never in the presence of unsecured guns.