Two years since Michigan's firearm safety laws took effect, the University of Michigan is rolling out a program that translates the legislation to real-life situations.
The firearm safety laws include a "red flag" law, or extreme risk protection order, that allows for judicial petition to temporarily remove firearms when someone may be at risk of harming themselves or others; a secure storage law seeking to prevent child firearm access; a background check and purchaser licensing law; and a temporary ban on firearm possession for people convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors.
Because the laws don't come with practical instructions, U-M's Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention has launched the Michigan Firearm Implementation Program. M-FLIP includes an online resource library and technical assistance hub open to anyone interested in learning more about or applying the laws.
"There is a significant evidence base that shows training and technical assistance is imperative when implementing and using these policies," said institute co-director Patrick Carter, professor of emergency medicine and of health behavior and health equity.
"The institute is proud to partner with the state of Michigan on ensuring communities across the state have what they need to use these laws for their intended purpose, which is ultimately to save lives."
M-FLIP is funded via a $4.75 million grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to respond to-and reduce-the approximately 1,400 preventable firearm-related deaths in the state each year. Nationally, that number is roughly 47,000. More than half of the deaths, both nationally and in Michigan, are suicides, and the leading cause of death for 1-to-19-year-olds is firearms.
"Ensuring that our communities have the training, resources and support necessary to use these laws as intended is critical to preventing firearm injuries and deaths in Michigan," said April Zeoli, M-FLIP director at the institute and associate professor of health management and policy at U-M's School of Public Health.
To that end, M-FLIP offers an extensive list of resources and information regarding each of the laws, including what they require and how to educate communities about them. The online hub shares information for law enforcement, judicial officers, schools, health care workers, family members and communities on best practices, processes and strategies for ensuring optimal use and implementation.
The website also includes detailed information on how to file, respond to and use extreme risk protection orders across various jurisdictions and populations.
Through M-FLIP, communities can request technical assistance and in-person training, where they will work with program team members to create customized strategic plans for long-term success and sustainability. The program team is already traveling the state at the request of law enforcement agencies, health care organizations, social workers and others interested in the laws and the process for using them.
