MI Moves Closer To Banning Ghost Guns, Bump Stocks

MICHIGAN — Michigan moved closer Wednesday to banning bump stocks and ghost guns.

The Michigan state Senate passed five new bills during Wednesday's legislative session. Among those bills is SB 331 and 332, which would ban "ghost guns."

Ghost guns are homemade guns without serial numbers, making them untraceable. They are put together with multiple pieces that are typically purchased online.

Also in the package passed Wednesday is legislation that would ban bump stocks and other devices that effectively turn assault rifles into machine guns.

If passed into law, Michigan would become the 18th state to prohibit bump stocks.

"Whether they shoot for sport or self-defense, civilians have no need for a device that allows them to shoot hundreds of bullets in a matter of minutes," bill sponsor Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) said.

Senators also voted in favor of banning guns inside the Michigan State Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings, except for security and lawmakers with concealed pistol licenses.

Only the ban on bump stocks had bipartisan support, as three Republicans joined all Democrats in favor of the ban. The rest of the bills passed along party lines with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans voting against.

The package now moves to the Michigan Republican-controlled House for consideration. If the House passes the package, then it will move to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for final approval.

However, the bills were sent to the House Government Operations Committee, where legislation typically goes to die.