Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is poised to sign red flag legislation into law on Monday, adding it to other gun safety measures recently enacted in the wake of the Michigan State University shootings.

Last month, Michigan lawmakers passed a bill that establishes red flag laws in the state in an effort to help reduce gun violence. Red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection order laws, are becoming a more popular tool in states’ arsenals against firearm misuse.

Red flag laws establish certain steps that can help keep guns out of the hands of people who are in crisis, and who pose a danger to themselves or others.

The newly-Democrat-led Michigan Legislature passed the red flag bill just two months after three students were shot and killed, and more were injured, on Michigan State’s campus. Lawmakers have recently been taking steps to address gun violence, particularly after the state faced two high-profile mass school shootings in under two years.

As of Monday, May 22, Michigan will be one of 20 states that have some sort of red flag law in place. The laws are enforced differently in each state, but experts say they may be a promising tool in the push to end gun violence.

How do red flag laws work?

Red flag laws are designed to help prevent a person in distress or crisis from using a firearm to inflict damage on themself or others. The laws don’t seek to take firearms away from gun owners who aren’t dangerous or in distress.

The situations in which red flag laws...

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