Guns are a hot topic these days. Of course, there is the Second Amendment that allows U.S. citizens the Right to Bear Arms. But it was also written at a time when the average time to reload a weapon was a matter of minutes in some cases, not less than second.

Several states across the country have begun implementing new gun registration laws that would hold the owners, and users of the guns, accountable for any actions caused with the weapon. In fact, Illinois just implemented a full-on ban of assault weapons. So, could Michigan be next?

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At the moment, there is no registration laws for Michigan. Giffords.org explains:

"While Michigan has no system of registration, retail firearms sellers are required to keep a register of all firearms sales, and handgun sales must be reported to law enforcement."

So when purchasing a handgun in particular, Michigan does have some requirements of the seller of the weapon, but NOT the new owners.

However, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been advocating for stricter gun registration laws in the state for quite some time. Back in April, she signed the "Commonsense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation," that establishes universal background checks for all firearm purchases, and safe storage requirements.

But again, these laws largely fall on the seller of the weapon, not the consumer. And there is still no law requiring background checks on unlicensed rifle and shotgun sales, no "Extreme Risk" law, and no laws prohibiting domestic abusers from possessing guns.

So in terms of how strict the state's gun laws are, Michigan is pretty relaxed.

New Assault Weapon Ban in Illinois

Meanwhile, nearby Illinois has just passed a full-on ban of assault weapons. It also bans assault weapon attachments.

Those who already own weapons on the list - AR-15s, AK-47s, etc. - will be allowed to keep their weapons. But legally, the weapons can no longer be sold within the state's lines. However, they must register them.

Gun Violence in both states falls somewhere in the middle of the list, according to a CDC study from 2021. And further analysis shows, that Illinois, who has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, is seeing most of their crimes committed with weapons brought in from out of state.

Both Michigan, and Illinois, however, do fall within the Top 10 of states with gun-related deaths in 2021.

So what do you think? Is Illinois' new law too strict? Is Michigan next on the list for more gun reform and registration laws?