The first person to be charged under Michigan's new gun storage law is Michael Tolbert, a 44-year-old man from Flint. Tolbert pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges, including first-degree child abuse and violating the gun storage law. This comes after Tolbert's two-year-old daughter shot herself in the head with his revolver on February 14th, the day after the law went into effect.

The child remains in critical condition, and Tolbert faces additional charges such as being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as lying to a peace officer in a violent crime investigation. The incident highlights the importance of properly securing firearms, as Tolbert's guns were found unsecured and loaded in his home.

This case echoes a recent conviction of a shooter's mother for involuntary manslaughter due to improper gun storage, shedding light on the consequences of not securely storing firearms, especially when children are involved. James Crumbley, another parent facing trial for the 2021 school shooting in Oxford that killed four students, is also implicated in failing to secure the gun involved in the tragedy.

Flint police discovered the accidental shooting after Tolbert brought his daughter to the hospital. Investigations revealed the presence of two unsecured and loaded guns in the bedroom, emphasizing the need for responsible gun ownership and adherence to the new gun storage law that took effect on February 13th, 2023.