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Demonstrators at Capitol seek stronger gun laws

Rick Pluta
/
MPRN

Michigan lawmakers returning for the fall session today were greeted by a "die-in" outside the state Capitol.

The protest was organized by the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence.

According to Linda Brundage, executive director of the Coalition, the goal of the "die-in" was to draw attention to the 91 people killed by guns each day in the U.S., and to highlight inaction by state lawmakers on bills to reduce gun violence.

"There is very good legislation languishing in the Judiciary Committee eliminating open carry in our schools and libraries," said Brundage.

Brundage said stronger background checks, and legislation to create penalties for not keeping guns away from kids have also been stalled, and her Coalition wants the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on these "common-sense gun laws."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 33,599 firearm deaths nationwide in 2014, and 1,093 in Michigan. 

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