Lansing Sun

Mayor Andy Schor sent an ordinance to the Lansing City Council that would require owners of firearms to report stolen guns to police.

The proposed ordinance is modeled after a state law that requires owners of stolen firearms to report the theft to the Michigan State Police. Reporting the theft to local law enforcement is not required. The new ordinance would ensure that local officials get the same information in a timely manner, city officials said in a news release in February.

“Illegal guns on our streets have had a devastating effect on so many lives in our community,” Schor said. “We need to be able to track when guns are stolen and are out on the streets.” 

Those who fail to report firearm theft could be hit with a civil infraction and levied a fine of up to $500, according to the release. 

Schor proposed a requirement to report guns that are either stolen or lost, but state law doesn’t currently require reporting lost weapons. Schor said he has asked legislators to add lost guns to the state law that requires the reporting of stolen guns.

“Gun owners have the responsibility to secure their guns, and this will help ensure that they are keeping their guns in a safe place so that they don’t end up on the streets,” Schor said.