Bump stocks, ghost guns targeted in bills passed by Michigan Senate

A trio of gun regulations Michigan Senate Democrats passed June 25 would ban bump stocks, add to state law a ban on guns at the Michigan Capitol and prohibit ghost guns.

Democrats in the Michigan Senate passed similar bills last year, but the Democratic-led state House didn’t pass the legislation before Republicans took control of the chamber. 

Given Republican opposition to most of the bills, it is unlikely that the GOP-controlled state House will take them up. Still, gun violence prevention advocates celebrated the votes.

Bump stocks ban

Senate Bill 224 would ban the purchase and possession of bump stocks that make semiautomatic rifles fire faster. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on the devices in a June 2024 decision. Bump stocks attached to semiautomatic rifles can fire several hundred rounds in a minute.

Seventeen states currently prohibit bump stocks, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention organization.

The bill was the only one among the gun legislation passed by the Michigan Senate on June 25 that garnered Republican support. Three GOP state senators joined Democrats in voting for the bills: Sens. Thomas Albert, of Lowell, Mark Huizenga, of Walker and Michael Webber, of Rochester Hills.

Codifying gun ban at the Michigan Capitol

With the exception of security and law enforcement personnel, visitors to the Michigan Capitol cannot bring firearms into the building. Senate Bill 225 would codify the Michigan Capitol Commission’s ban into state law and create a new prohibition on carrying a concealed pistol into the buildings that house state lawmakers’ offices.

The legislation would create an exception for state lawmakers with a concealed pistol license. Senate Bill 226 would update the state’s penal code to reflect the changes.

State Sen. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe, spoke in opposition to the legislation on the Senate floor, zeroing in on the exception for lawmakers. “By now, I shouldn’t be surprised by the constant attack on our Second Amendment rights and I’m not. But what does surprise me is the Democrats’ repeated attempts to carve out special rules for lawmakers. As the saying goes, ‘rules for thee but not for me,’ ” he said.

Bill sponsor state Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-West Bloomfield, said in a statement, “Democracy works best when people can speak up and take part without fear of violence.”

“Every day, kids and school groups walk our Capitol halls and learn about the legislative process. Volunteers and organizers advocate for policies to better their communities. And dedicated staff perform the work that’s essential to keeping our state up and running. All of these people are vital to our democracy, and they deserve to feel safe while participating in it,” Bayer continued.

The bills passed along party lines with the support of every Democratic state senator and united opposition from Republicans.Michigan Legislature: Psychedelics to treat PTSD? Lawmaker wants Michigan to decriminalize plants for therapy

Ghost guns

Do-it-yourself ghost guns assembled from firearm components generally lack serial numbers, are untraceable by law enforcement and circumvent background check requirements in place for other firearm purchases.

Senate Bill 331 would prohibit making and selling firearms and firearm parts without a valid serial number. The legislation would also ban those without a license from manufacturing a firearm using a 3D printer to make a firearm, frame or receiver. Senate Bill 332 would update the state’s sentencing guidelines to make a second or subsequent violation of the ban on ghost guns a felony punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.

Democrats passed both bills on a party-line vote over GOP objections. State Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, R-Coldwater, called the legislation “anti-American.”

“The firearms that our founders used to protect their homesteads to hunt to go about their daily business and yes, to fight back the tyranny of the British government, were under the definition of this law, ghost guns,” he said.

Bill sponsor state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, responded that “at the founding of our country, AR-15s also did not exist,” she said.

Fifteen states currently regulate ghost guns, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.