This bill amends the Michigan Penal Code, specifically section 479b, to establish penalties for individuals who unlawfully take weapons from peace officers or corrections officers. The bill introduces a new provision that increases the penalty for taking a firearm under certain circumstances. If an individual takes a firearm from a peace officer or corrections officer while using force or violence, they can face a felony charge punishable by up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000. This is a significant increase from the previous maximum penalty of 10 years for taking a firearm without the use of force.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the language regarding the duties of peace officers and corrections officers by replacing gender-specific pronouns with gender-neutral terms. It also maintains the existing penalties for taking a weapon other than a firearm, which remains a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,500. The bill specifies that individuals charged under this section can also face additional charges for any other violations committed during the same incident, and it allows for consecutive sentencing for violations arising from the same transaction. The amendments will take effect 90 days after the bill is enacted into law.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 750.479