Michigan proposes statewide ban on bump stocks for firearms

(CBS) – A Michigan lawmaker wants to ban bump stocks across the state. Senate Bill 942 was introduced less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. lifted a federal ban on bump stocks.

Bump stocks are attachments that allow a semi-automatic rifle to fire faster. The ban was introduced by the Trump administration after a gunman used bump stocks in the fatal shooting at a Las Vegas music festival in 2017.

“We don’t want to make it easy for people to harm our citizens,” said Senator Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia).

Polehanki introduced the bill that would ban the purchase, possession and manufacture of bump stocks.

“These are small devices that are easy to manufacture. Unfortunately, they could even be manufactured using 3D printing,” she said.

Polehanki said she wants Michigan to join other states that already have statewide bump stock bans.

“Why would someone need a bump stick?” she asked.

Mac Mallah, an employee at Tactical Edge Gun Shop in Dearborn, said he doesn’t like the question of why they are needed.

“Why do you need a fancy car? Why do you need a helicopter? Why do you need a soda? You know what I mean? It’s more like something I’d like to have fun with.”

He said he opposed the proposed ban on bump stocks.

“I feel like Michigan has passed all kinds of laws that don’t really stop criminals from getting guns.”

Polehanki said she began drafting the bill minutes after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban. She hopes for bipartisan support. The bill is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.