Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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August 25, 2025
WHEREAS, guns are the number one killer of children and teens in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, almost every other day, a child gets their hands on a gun and unintentionally kills or wounds themselves or someone else in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, research shows that the most effective way to prevent children from accessing firearms is by making sure all guns are stored unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Michigan is committed to taking evidence-based action to protect children in our communities; and,
WHEREAS, there are steps we can all take, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, to make sure kids cannot access guns and put themselves and others in danger; and,
WHEREAS, more than half of gun owners don’t lock all of their guns securely, and an estimated 4.6 million children live in a home with at least one unlocked and loaded gun in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, when guns are not securely stored, tragedy can strike ― whether it’s a child finding a firearm and wounding or killing themselves or someone else, or someone accessing it and using it to commit a crime; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s safe storage law, effective February 13, 2024, requires firearm owners to safely store their firearms when someone younger than 18 years old is, or is likely to be, present. That means keeping unattended firearms unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container; and,
WHEREAS, if you're a parent or guardian, have a conversation with your child about firearm safety. And if your child is going to someone else's home, don’t hesitate to ask if firearms are present and how they’re stored. This is especially important during the summer as kids visit family or a friend’s house.
WHEREAS, resources and information to support families to achieve firearm safety may be found at www.michigan.gov/firearmsafety; and,
WHEREAS, schools, hospitals, state agencies, and community organizations are committed to their crucial role in reducing injuries and deaths by promoting secure gun storage and safety; and,
WHEREAS, SMART Week raises awareness and promotes efforts to educate the public about secure gun storage. The State of Michigan commends Be SMART, a program developed by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, and all involved in their endeavor to keep communities safe
WHEREAS, SMART stands for S: secure all guns in your home and vehicle, M: model responsible behavior around guns, A: ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes, R: recognize the role of guns in suicide &, T: tell your peers to be SMART.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim August 25 – 29, 2025 as SMART Storage Week in Michigan.