MichMash: Will Democrats deliver on gun law promises following MSU mass shooting?

After the mass shooting at Michigan State University, thoughts surround how lawmakers will respond. MichMash host Cheyna Roth talks with Bridge Michigan’s Lauren Gibbons to break down the talks happening at the state legislature.

In this episode:

• Lawmakers are looking to pass legislation involving universal background checks, red flag laws and safe storage laws.
• Other lawmakers who oppose gun laws offered possible solutions such as additional planning and school staff for student safety and mental health.
• MSU’s Spartan Strong Fund is helping the victims of the mass shooting.

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On Wednesday, Feb. 15, Michigan State University students staged a protest on the steps of the state capital. They urged lawmakers to make substantive changes with legislation to prevent mass shootings such as the one that happened on their campus just two days prior.

With there being a majority of Democrats in both chambers, they may be able to form legislation to align with their pro-gun reform agendas. Bridge Michigan reporter Lauren Gibbons explains how in addition to the change in leadership, there have been talks going on already to address gun reform.

“Prior to the MSU shooting they have been discussing what they wanted to do,” says Gibbons. “They have been working on introducing legislation anyway… many of them citing Oxford. That happened 14 months ago and the MSU shooting has obviously accelerated that timeline.”

Sen. Rosemary Bayer, whose previous district contained Oxford high school, is spearheading these conversations. Gibbons shared that Senate Democrats don’t have a timeline of when legislation will be introduced, but they are looking into universal background checks, red flag laws and safe storage laws.

Conversations surrounding gun reform have followed a similar pattern especially after mass shootings. So in addition to solutions including gun reform, there have been opponents who believe gun reform isn’t the answer. Gibbons says the House Republicans also put out a plan that didn’t address gun reform.

She says Republicans are rather “not going after the guns directly – establishing a new commission for school safety, adding additional planning and school staff for student safety and mental health (to) improve responses to a crisis.”

Due to the similar nature of events like this, Roth asked Gibbons about the probability of gun reform laws actually passing.

“Democrats have long been in the minority but no longer are,” said Gibbons.

Other states have suggested the same type of laws and it remains to be seen when the legislation will pass in Michigan.

“I would imagine that there might be some bill introductions if anything comes out of the Michigan State situation,” said Gibbons. “I don’t think it would necessarily make Michigan the strictest in the nation.”

National advocates for stricter gun legislation and those who would not like to use the mass shooting as a catalyst for gun laws have spoken up. According to Gibbons, “the policy conversation has fallen very close behind.”

There have been a lot of local businesses and alumni who have reached out to help those in need. MSU’s Spartan Strong Fund was created to help provide support for the evolving needs of the individuals most critically impacted. To make a contribution of support, you can visit their website.

Related:

• Detroit Today: What Senate gun control measures mean for mass shootings
• MichMash: Michigan Democrats may pursue gun reform with control of state Legislature next session
• Detroit Evening Report: Michigan House passes gun control, right-to-work repeal bills