The authors of the report, however, didn't come out in favor of a ban on so-called assault weapons or "large capacity" magazines, and a couple of their proposals would, in fact, be beneficial to gun owners. 

The report recommends reducing or eliminating background check and permit-to-purchase fees as well as clarifying the process of temporary transfers "so that those engaged in these transfers are not in violation of the law", both of which would be positive steps. 

The best idea the authors came up, at least from my perspective, deals with off-site storage of firearms. 

Improve access to out-of-home safe storage options for firearms for families dealing with someone in crisis - In Michigan, there is a critical need for storage of firearms outside of the home when family and loved ones are in moments of crisis.

Firearms have become one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and remain a prominent issue in the realm of firearm-related suicide for adults and especially older adults in the U.S. and Michigan. Providing resources and response protocols that are standardized across disciplines is needed when curating secure storage options for firearms outside of individual and families’ homes. This can be achieved further through providing publicized resource lists for local and state use for out-of-home storage, in addition to providing web-based maps for individuals to search for areas locally and across the state that offer secure storage options for firearms. Moreover, collaborating with locations and organizations not directly tied to law enforcement agencies such as firearm retailers, firearm shops and ranges and gun owner groups is crucial to prioritize, as this provides accessibility to community groups who may not feel comfortable interacting with law enforcement.

Providing gun owners with the means to temporarily store their guns away from home when someone in their family is in crisis (or even when the gun owner will be away from their collection for an extended period of time) can be hugely helpful in terms of preventing suicide and acts of self-harm. 

If anything, though, the task force's recommendations don't go far enough. Yes, it's important that gun owners are aware of the options that are available to them, and web-based maps that highlight gun shops that are willing to temporarily store firearms when needed is incredibly helpful. But the state could also provide support for those FFLs by offering grants or tax credits for the purchase of gun safes, which would allow many smaller shops to take in and store more guns than what they can currently accept. 

Those grants should come with no strings attached, which means no reporting requirements for participating FFLs. The state doesn't need to know who is storing their guns at these locations or why. Just give gun store owners the tools they need to help the community they serve and let them take care of the rest. 

The Republicans who control Michigan's House may not want to act on any of the recommendations in the task force's report, while the Democrats in charge of the state Senate seem more inclined to adopt restrictions that are broadly aimed at lawful gun owners, so it remains to be seen whether aiding a voluntary, off-site storage program is something that both parties and chambers can coalesce behind. But if lawmakers are looking for ways to save lives, instead of just coming up with new and creative ways to infringe on a civil right this would be a great place to find common ground.