The Senate version (SBs 853 and 854) of Rep. Hope’s legislation to create a state-level gun dealer license in Michigan recently passed in the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee and is now awaiting a vote on the Senate floor. Gun dealers in Michigan would be required to get this license to sell firearms. Rep. Hope introduced this legislation (HB 5065) in the House last year.

Gun sellers in Michigan are required to be licensed at the federal level. However, the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has historically lacked the resources or staff to perform inspections. Only 9% of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) are inspected during the course of an average year. Some sellers have not been inspected in over 10 years.

The gaps at the federal level leave an unacceptable public safety risk for communities everywhere. Other state legislatures have recognized the danger created by lax federal oversight and enforcement and, in response, they have created their own licensing systems for retail gun sellers. These state licenses have proved effective in reducing gun thefts.

Under the proposed legislation, license holders would be required to:

• Perform background checks on all employees as a condition of their employment.
• Complete annual training covering their security obligations, reporting obligations, and best practices to avoid straw purchases. Employees must also complete the training.
• Report any lost or stolen guns or sales they suspect are straw purchases to law enforcement within 24 hours.
• Increase security measures, including requiring an alarm system and a video surveillance system; guns and ammunition must be secured.
• Renew their license every year. If a dealer does not renew their license, they must reapply.

Stolen guns are far more likely to go on to be used in other crimes. This legislation will keep firearms out of the hands of bad actors while holding gun dealers accountable.

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