A body is covered with a sheet after a mass shooting in which dozens were killed at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

Mass shooting in Las Vegas sparks policy discussions

Last week, gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, killing at least 58 and injuring more than 500 people.

The incident was quickly confirmed as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history and reignited discussions throughout the country on how to address issues with gun violence and work to prevent future mass shootings.

Guns and how to appropriately regulate them has been a contentious issue in the U.S. for decades. Pro-gun rights groups such as the NRA and their supporters have pushed back against many proposals to further regulate gun ownership and have backed policies at the state and federal level they believe complement their 2nd Amendment rights to own firearms. Groups pushing for gun control have argued that meaningful changes to the country's policies surrounding firearms are necessary to prevent future violent events.

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Gun rights still hold powerful sway in Michigan

The NRA is historically loathe to back proposals involving stricter regulation of guns, and wields powerful influence in politics, especially among Republicans. Although several groups advocating for more gun control have cropped up in recent years, none have managed to hold the same political sway in the Michigan legislature or Congress.

In a statement following the Las Vegas shooting, NRA officials were critical of politicians calling for additional gun control to protect against violence, but did note its support of reviewing the legality of "bump stocks."

"Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks," the statement read. "On behalf of our five million members across the country, we urge Congress to pass National Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which will allow law-abiding Americans to defend themselves and their families from acts of violence."

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Emily Durbin, Chapter Leader for Michigan of Moms Demand Action, said much of their work on the ground in Michigan involves protecting existing laws, including the requirement for permits for concealed weapons and preventing concealed carry in gun-free zones. They also work to promote education on responsible gun storage and training, she said.

Acknowledging the uphill battle groups advocating for additional gun regulations face when challenging pro-gun rights politicians and advocates, Durbin said those interested in change should get involved locally and work towards both incremental tweaks and a broader discussion on gun policy at the state and federal level.

"If we’re resolved and compassionate with one another, if we listen and recommit to responsible tradition, we can make a lot of positive changes in our community," she said.

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Associated Press

Federal discussion on 'bump stocks'

Following news that the gunman had a little-known device called a "bump stock" in his possession to presumably increase the firing speed of his semi-automatic weapons, some called on Congress and the Trump administration to look at the legality of the device.

The "bump stock" device is an attachment that can make a semi-automatic weapon mimic a fully automatic weapon by unleashing an entire large magazine in seconds. According to the Associated Press, the device was initially created with the idea of making it easier for people with disabilities to shoot a gun and were approved to be sold by the federal government in 2010.

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Associated Press file

NRA, Trump administration open to further regulation on the devices

Sarah Sanders, press secretary for President Donald Trump, said Thursday the administration is open to supporting legislation that would ban or regulate bump stocks. The National Rifle Association has expressed support for revisiting whether the devices comply with federal law.

In a statement, the NRA said the association "believes that devices designed to allow semiautomatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations."

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What Michigan's federal lawmakers think

Several members of Michigan's Congressional delegation expressed support for looking into the legality of bump stocks.

In a statement posted to Facebook, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, said "we cannot with a straight face justify the legality of bump stocks."

A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, said the Congressman, a gun owner, was "previously unaware of bump stocks and believes that they should be looked at with greater scrutiny."

U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, said she is a cosponsor on legislation that would ban devices that can turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons.

"But we cannot stop there," she said in a statement. "I demand that people across the aisle, gun owners, and advocates on all sides come to the table to ensure this tragedy never happens again and fix the ongoing crisis of rampant gun violence."

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A congressional staffer holds a handful of small American flags to pass out as Democratic members of the House of Representatives rally for action on gun safety legislation after the deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas this week, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Past proposals to federally regulate firearms haven't gained much traction

According to CBS, more than 100 gun control proposals have been introduced in Congress since former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in Arizona in January 2011. None have been successful.

Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, an amendment that would have required background checks on commercial gun sales failed 54-46, six votes shy of the 60-vote threshold.

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In this image from video, House Speaker Paul Ryan stands at the podium as he brings the House into session Wednesday night, June 22, 2016. Rebellious Democrats staged an extraordinary all-day sit-in on the House floor to demand votes on gun-control bills, shouting down Ryan when he attempted to restore order as their protest stretched into the night. The sit-in was well into its 10th hour, with Democrats camped out on the floor stopping legislative business in the House, when Ryan stepped to the podium to gavel the House into session and hold votes on routine business. (House Television via AP, File)

Democrats have pushed for more gun regulation

Democrats have been vocal about trying to get Congressional votes on gun control legislation. Last year, House Democrats staged an all-day sit-in on the House floor to demand votes on gun-control bills, shouting down House Speaker Paul Ryan when he attempted to restore order as their protest stretched into the night.

This demonstration earned national attention, but did not result in any major policy changes. Votes were taken on measures that would have banned suspected terrorists from being able to purchase a gun and expanded background checks, but none passed.

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A major moment in Michigan gun policy

In Michigan, a major change in gun policy came in 2000, when pro-gun rights groups helped push legislation granting an automatic right to a concealed pistol license over outcry following the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

Changes to the original proposal included establishing gun-free zones such as schools, churches and sports arenas, where gun owners could not carry concealed weapons.

According to political publication Gongwer News Service, it was the first time members of the Michigan Legislature included an appropriation to make the legislation referendum-proof, a tactic now frequently used when controversial legislation is put forward.

Michigan's gun laws have been challenged or tested many times over the years in state and federal courts, and dozens of bills looking to expand upon or change existing gun policy at the state level have been introduced with varying success.

10 ways Michigan lawmakers are aiming to change gun laws

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'Permitless carry' a possibility in Michigan

One of the more recent gun policy proposals debated by lawmakers was a package of bills that would strike the requirement that Michiganders have a license to carry a concealed weapon. People banned from possessing firearms would be banned from carrying them as well. The bills also reduce penalties for certain infractions relating to carrying a pistol without proper identification or disclosure.

That legislation was passed by the Michigan House earlier this year, but Michigan Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, recently said the timing wasn't right to move the package through the Senate. He didn't rule out the possibility of moving the legislation at a later date.

Proponents of the legislation, including bill sponsor Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, have said the legislation would help law-abiding gun owners concealed carry even if they can't afford licensing and training.

"Women, elderly, vulnerable and economically disadvantaged people should not be excluded from concealed carry because they can't afford the fees associated with the permit process," Hoitenga said during committee testimony.

Critics are concerned the legislation would prove a safety risk by stripping away training requirements for carrying concealed firearms.

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More than 50 students and faculty members stand in solidarity during a vigil for the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting at the McKinnon Plaza on campus Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 in downtown Flint. Jake May | MLive.com

Vigils held in Michigan to support shooting victims

As the nation struggled to process the Las Vegas shooting, vigils were held throughout Michigan to stand in solidarity with the victims and others impacted directly by the violence.

On Wednesday, more than 50 people gathered at the University of Michigan-Flint's McKinnon Plaza for a vigil honoring those killed and injured. Other vigils were held in Lansing and Grand Rapids this week.

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Emily Rose Bennett | MLive.com

More MLive coverage on gun policy

Timing isn't right for permitless carry gun bill, says Michigan Senate leader

Michigan House passes bills allowing concealed pistol carry without a license

Guns or signs? Bills would flip which are allowed in state capitol

'Bump stock' regulation supported by some of Michigan's federal lawmakers

At least 58 killed, 515 wounded in Las Vegas Strip concert shooting

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Coverage of Michigan residents impacted by Las Vegas shooting

Flint newlyweds survive Las Vegas massacre, but hurt in crowd stampede

Las Vegas mass shooting was like a war zone, says Saginaw concert-goer

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'We felt the air from the bullets,' witnesses describe Las Vegas massacre