Free gun locks available for Flint residents Friday, June 7 at City of Flint Service Center

Flint Police Department urges residents to secure guns to prevent accidental discharge and youth gun violence

FLINT, Mich.—In an effort to curb rising gun violence, the City of Flint will distribute free gun locks to residents this Friday, June 7 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the City of Flint Service Center on Clio Rd.

The Genesee County Health Department donated 150 gun locks to help parents comply with new secure storage laws and protect their families from the tragedies of gun violence and accidental firearms injuries and deaths.

Reminder: New secure storage law is now in effect

The new secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023 has been in effect since February of this year and requires individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present on the premises.

If an individual fails to store a firearm as required and a minor obtains the firearm and any of the following occur, they are guilty of a crime under Public Act 16 of 2023, as follows:

• If the minor possesses or exhibits the firearm in a public place or possesses or exhibits the firearm in the presence of another person in a careless, reckless or threatening manner: a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days or a fine of up to $500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and injures themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts serious impairment of a body function on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
• If the minor discharges the firearm and inflicts death on themselves or another individual: a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

These penalties could be imposed in addition to charges for other criminal offenses arising from an incident.

“I am urging Flint residents to take common sense measures to prevent tragedies by securing their guns responsibly, especially those who care for young people,” Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. “Many of the tragedies involving firearms that we see carried out by youth could be prevented by simply securing weapons in the home so that minors cannot use them.”

Mayor, legislators push to prevent drive-by shootings with new bill package

Mayor Neeley testified before the Michigan State House of Representatives yesterday in support of the Messiah’s Law bill package, named for a 3-year-old child who was the victim of a drive-by shooting in Flint. The package is sponsored by State Representative Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw).

House Bill 5225 would increase penalties for intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle or at a dwelling or a potentially occupied structure. House Bill 5226 would amend sentencing guidelines for intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle or at a dwelling or a potentially occupied structure.

“This legislation has a heartbeat,” Mayor Neeley told the House Criminal Justice Committee on June 4. “Cowardly acts by individuals, and I use the word cowardly: For people to get out of a vehicle; to fire rounds into a dwelling; to look for an intended target. Sometimes they’re not even there. Callous. Cowards. I believe in second chances, but I also believe in last chances. When we rob true innocents of the ability to go forth, we all lose. We don’t know what type of potential young Messiah would have poured into our society, or the multiple children that are lost when the cowardly acts of drive-by shootings and walk-by shootings are done.”