Weapons: firearms; requirement for all firearm components to contain serial numbers; provide for. Amends 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.421 - 28.435) by adding sec. 14c. TIE BAR WITH: HR 0002'25
This bill significantly impacts state laws by enhancing accountability among firearm manufacturers and sellers. It will create a clearer framework for the legislation surrounding firearms, prioritizing public safety and reducing the potential for illegal firearm trafficking. State and local law enforcement agencies are expected to have improved tools for tracking firearms and addressing gun violence associated with untraceable guns. The inclusion of conditions for ghost gun precursors will also aim to limit access to unregulated firearm components that can be easily obtained and assembled.
House Bill 4479 aims to amend existing Michigan laws regarding the regulation and licensing of firearms by introducing stricter requirements for the manufacturing and possession of firearms and their components. Specifically, it prohibits the manufacture, sale, or transfer of firearms that lack a valid serial number and targets 'ghost guns' and undetectable firearms. Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals who manufacture firearms without a license must imprint their creations with valid serial numbers within a set timeframe and report specific details to state authorities.
Notable points of contention surrounding HB4479 include concerns from gun rights advocates claiming that such regulations infringe upon Second Amendment rights. Critics argue that the legislation could create unnecessary barriers for law-abiding citizens while failing to address the root causes of gun violence. Proponents of the bill respond that any restrictions are a necessary response to the rising prevalence of ghost guns and undetectable firearms, which bypass conventional tracking systems, thus posing a significant threat to public safety.