Weapons: other; manufacture, sale, or possession of a bump stock; prohibit. Amends sec. 224 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.224).
SB 224 amends Michigan’s penal code to expressly prohibit the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, or possession of bump stocks and multiburst trigger activators, in addition to several already-prohibited weapons and devices such as machine guns, silencers, bombs, and certain impact weapons. The bill defines “bump stock” and “multiburst trigger activator” in detail, covering devices and aftermarket trigger systems that allow a semiautomatic firearm to fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull or in rapid succession. It also retains existing exemptions for self-defense spray or foam devices, federal government contractors, and federally licensed persons authorized to handle certain weapons or devices.
A violation of the prohibition remains a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. In practical terms, the bill would expand the list of contraband weapons and accessories under MCL 750.224 and give law enforcement and prosecutors a clearer statutory basis for charging possession or trafficking in bump stocks and similar rapid-fire conversion devices. The measure is aimed at semiautomatic firearm accessories that increase firing rate or mimic automatic fire.
The available voting history suggests the bill had majority support but was not unanimous. It was reported favorably out of committee by a 5-2 vote and later passed the Senate on third reading by a 22-14 vote. That pattern indicates the bill was generally supported, but with a meaningful minority opposed.
The main point of contention is likely the scope of the firearm restrictions, especially the inclusion of bump stocks and broad definitions of multiburst trigger activators that can reach aftermarket trigger systems and other rate-of-fire enhancing devices. Supporters appear to favor the bill as a public-safety measure and a clarification of prohibited weapons, while opponents likely object to expanding criminal liability for firearm accessories and to the breadth of the definitions. No committee transcript was provided, so the specific arguments are not documented in the available record.
The bill would amend MCL 750.224 of the Michigan penal code to add bump stocks and multiburst trigger activators to the list of prohibited items, alongside machine guns, silencers, bombs, and certain other weapons. It would also define those new terms in statute, creating clearer enforcement standards and extending felony penalties to possession, sale, or manufacture of the newly covered devices. The bill primarily affects firearm owners, sellers, manufacturers, and law enforcement, while preserving existing federal-license and government-contractor exceptions.
The recorded votes show generally favorable sentiment, with the bill advancing out of committee and passing the Senate by a solid but not overwhelming margin. That suggests broad support for restricting bump stocks and similar devices, but also notable opposition from legislators concerned about firearm regulation. No committee discussion transcript was provided, so the sentiment can only be inferred from the vote totals and the bill’s progression.
The central controversy is whether bump stocks and related trigger-activating devices should be treated as prohibited weapons under state law, and how broadly those definitions should reach. Supporters likely view the bill as a necessary public-safety and crime-prevention measure that closes a gap in the penal code, while opponents likely argue that the language could sweep in lawful aftermarket parts or impose overly broad restrictions on firearm accessories. The 22-14 Senate vote and 5-2 committee report indicate the issue drew real but not overwhelming resistance.