June 04, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2026
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Re-Establishes Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Building on Historic Progress to Keep Families Safe Throughout Her Time in Office
Executive order helps Task Force continue work to save lives, reduce violence
LANSING, Mich.—Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2026-13, re-establishing the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. This action continues the task force’s work and builds on the governor’s commonsense gun violence prevention laws, including background checks, safe storage requirements, extreme risk protection orders, and stronger penalties for those convicted of domestic abuse. The governor also signed a proclamation declaring June “Gun Violence Awareness Month” in Michigan. These actions build on the governor’s historic work throughout her time in office to reduce violence and keep Michiganders safe.
“Every Michigander deserves to feel safe in their community,” said Governor Whitmer. “Over the last seven and a half years, we’ve made historic progress to reduce gun violence and keep people safe. I signed legislation supported by a strong majority of Michiganders—background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection orders, stronger penalties for domestic abusers, and historic investments in mental health and local law enforcement. That’s why I am proud to sign an executive order re-establishing the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, to continue their critical work, consolidate the progress we’ve made, and keep working together to protect communities and save lives.”
“No one should live in fear of violence in their neighborhoods,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has worked hard over the last two years to develop strategies that will keep our communities safe. I’m proud to see their work build on the progress we’ve made to reduce gun violence in Michigan, such as enacting commonsense gun violence prevention laws and getting illegal firearms off the streets. Let’s continue to stand tall for our communities and keep building a safer, more resilient Michigan.”
Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
Today’s executive order re-establishes the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The task force identifies the root causes of gun violence, compiles and reports relevant data, solicits perspectives from diverse stakeholders, and recommends policy to save lives. The task force was established in 2024 by Executive Order 2024-4. The task force has since completed its final report, providing a comprehensive set of recommendations to reduce gun violence across the state.
The next phase requires focused implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations, improved coordination across state government, and stronger data collection to track progress, support accountability, and ensure that policies are effective and responsive to community needs. Continued coordination through the Department of Health and Human Services will further a unified, public-health-centered approach to gun violence prevention.
To view the full executive order, click here.
What They're Saying
“I'm incredibly proud of the historic first steps we took to make Michigan's schools and communities safer under Governor Whitmer's leadership" said State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township), Chair of the Firearm Safety and Gun Violence Prevention Caucus. “But gun violence is a public health crisis and there is so much more we must do to protect Michigan families and help our communities heal. The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has been a tremendous partner to the Legislature as we work to strengthen our laws and find new common-sense solutions that reduce gun violence. I am incredibly thankful that we can keep working together and building on the progress we've made until every Michigander is safe from gun violence.”
“I’ve had the honor of leading the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force as we focused on a clear goal of preventing gun violence from harming more families and communities,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive and Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force chair. “Early 2025 data already shows sharp reductions in firearm homicides in many Michigan cities – lifesaving work made possible by community‑based organizations and our community violence intervention partners. And our work isn’t done. The continuation of the Task Force will help move its recommendations from paper into practice as we work together to save more lives and reduce violence.”
“Kalamazoo Public Schools is honored to welcome Governor Whitmer to our community,” Dr. Darrin Slade, Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priorities, and we appreciate opportunities to collaborate with state and local partners on efforts that help create safe, supportive learning environments.”
“Governor Whitmer has taken on one of the most complex and important issues of our times,” said Richard Fuller, Kalamazoo County Sheriff. “The Gun Violence Prevention Task Force was developed and implemented at a time when we easily recognize the dangers related to firearms and the need for effective regulations designed to end gun violence and make Michigan safer for all.”
“Kalamazoo Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action are active in schools and the community to support gun law reforms passed by the Whitmer Administration,” said Rick and Martha Omilian, volunteers with the Michigan chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We look forward to supporting next steps to protect Michigan residents. We appreciate Governor Whitmer coming to Kalamazoo to make this important announcement alongside student leaders.”
Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Laws
In 2023, in response to the Oxford and MSU tragedies, Governor Whitmer and the majority in the Michigan Legislature took action on gun violence, enacting commonsense gun violence prevention laws supported by the majority of Michiganders.
Governor Whitmer’s Record-Breaking Public Safety Investments
Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked closely with local leaders, law enforcement officers, and community organizations to ensure people feel safe in their neighborhoods. The governor has signed seven balanced, bipartisan budgets, each making record investments to help communities fund local law enforcement departments and hire more first responders.
Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has invested over $1.7 billion into public safety. Last year’s budget includes $60 million for Public Safety Revenue Sharing grants to provide cities, villages, and townships with additional resources for police services and to support community violence intervention efforts and $15 million for community violence intervention grants to reduce gun violence and save lives.
In June 2024, Governor Whitmer signed ED 2024-4 to establish the Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to further work in gun violence reduction. This year’s budget proposal includes $2.5 million to continue the work of the statewide gun violence prevention task force.
Under Operation Safe Neighborhoods, Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) parole and probation agents team up with local law enforcement across the state to conduct enhanced compliance checks on probationers and parolees who are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
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