Flint man becomes first person charged under Michigan's new gun storage law
Volunteers work to clean up the memorial site at the Sparty statue, March 2, 2023, on campus at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. New gun laws take effect Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Michigan on the one-year anniversary of a shooting at Michigan State University that claimed the lives of three students and left five in critical condition. Credit: AP/Nick King
FLINT, Mich. — A Michigan man was charged Tuesday under the state's new law requiring safe storage of guns after his 2-year-old daughter shot herself in the head with his revolver the day after the law took effect.
The 44-year-old Flint man became the first person to be charged with violating the law that took effect on Feb. 13, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said. The girl is hospitalized in critical condition.
This law "went into effect one week ago today,” Leyton said at a news conference announcing charges against the man. “This incident occurred the very next day.”
The man faces charges including first-degree child abuse, a felony violation of Michigan’s gun storage law, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and lying to a police officer in a violent crime investigation.
Flint police learned of the shooting after the man took the girl to a hospital. They found two guns in the bedroom of the man's home: the revolver and a semiautomatic pistol. Both were unsecured and loaded. Police said they found no gun locks or safes in the bedroom.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 30: Baseball, All-Long Island and Plays of the Week! On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg stops by Kings Park to check out their pitching staff and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
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