Michigan Passes Law Requiring Total Destruction of Buyback Firearms

On January 22, 2025, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that requires the complete destruction of firearms obtained through buyback programs and other means.

The House Bills involved were 6144-6146. They passed the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee along party lines, before moving to the full House for consideration. The legislation aims to prevent gun parts from being repurposed and reentering circulation.

Background and Investigation

The legislative initiative followed a 2023 New York Times investigation that revealed certain practices in police department firearm disposal.

The investigation found that an out-of-state company used by Michigan State Police (MSP) to dispose of confiscated or surrendered firearms was repurposing weapon components for resale in kits.

After this discovery, MSP paused its disposal operations and in March announced a new method using a scrap metal processing facility in Jackson. This facility now destroys weapons in their entirety using an industrial pulverizer.

Legislative Changes

House Bills 6144-6146 codify MSP's current gun disposal practices into law. Under current law, MSP has multiple options for firearms in their possession, including conducting public auctions, destroying the weapons, using them for official purposes, or other disposal methods approved by the MSP director.

The new legislation specifically eliminates allowances for MSP to sell or otherwise dispose of surrendered firearms without destroying them completely. Supporters argue this closes a loophole that undermined the original intent of buyback programs.

Key Details

• Legislation: House Bills 6144-6146
• Current Status: Signed by MI Governor Gretchen Whitmer on the 22nd of January
• Previous Practice: Only the frame or receiver of firearms was being destroyed; other parts were recycled and sold
• New Requirement: Complete destruction of all firearm components
• Implementation Method: Industrial pulverizer at a Jackson scrap metal processing facility
• Program Type: Affects all firearms obtained through buyback programs or voluntarily surrendered

Differing Perspectives

State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), chair of the Michigan Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention Caucus and sponsor of two of the bills, expressed her concerns about the previous system.

"I was appalled to find out that across the nation, buyback programs were turning around and giving firearms a second chance," Brabec said. "This is simply unacceptable."

However, State Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) opposed the legislation, arguing it places unnecessary costs on taxpayers.

"Democrats have decided that forcing taxpayers to pay for unwanted guns isn't enough, now they want taxpayers to foot the bill for the destruction of perfectly good firearms as well," Markkanen said. He added that auctioning firearms could help offset program costs.