Officials Confiscate Nearly 400 Illegal Guns From MI Streets: Whitmer

MICHIGAN — Officials have confiscated nearly 400 illegal guns from Michigan streets as part of an operation aimed at reducing gun violence, the governor's office announced Tuesday.

Operation Safe Neighborhoods, which was launched last fall, allows state agents to team up with local police agencies to conduct enhanced compliance checks on probationers and parolees, who are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

In roughly 3,400 check-ins with felony offenders, officials have taken 389 illegal guns taken out of communities, officials said. During sweeps, officers have also recovered illegal drugs and ammunition.

"By getting nearly 400 illegal firearms out of the hands of criminals before they can be used in the commission of a crime, we are taking action to keep families and communities safe," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. "Earlier this year, I signed legislation establishing universal background checks and safe storage requirements, and I will work with anyone to reduce gun violence."

Officials said there are roughly 32,000 probationers and 8,500 parolees in the state, of which 20% have been convicted previously of a gun crime.

The plan the department devised and implemented to supervise them is "aimed at the strategic targeting of high-risk individuals who have weapons possession in their criminal history that could be used to commit further crime," officials said.

Whitmer has proposed millions of dollars in funding dedicated to fighting gun violence, including plans to to hire, train, and retain local cops, firefighters and EMTs and upgrade public safety facilities and equipment.

She also called for funding to implement gun violence prevention policies and expand programs aimed at reducing recidivism. More details about the proposed budget can be found on the state’s website.