Michigan, Jan 23 (AP) State police in Michigan will be required to destroy guns collected during community buybacks or other efforts, under legislation signed into law on Wednesday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

State police in 2024 acknowledged that a previous disposal method destroyed only the frame or receiver of the firearm. A private company was recycling and selling the other parts, The New York Times reported.

Also Read | Trump’s Executive Orders Target Trans and Nonbinary People.

State police last March announced that they would destroy entire guns turned over by local police departments. Now that policy has been written into law.

"Our current practice of destroying all parts of the firearm will remain the standard now and for the future,” said Col James Grady II, director of the state police.

Also Read | US President Donald Trump-Led Administration Clearly Prioritising Bilateral Ties With India, Says EAM S Jaishankar (Watch Video).

State police handled more than 11,000 guns in 2023, spokesperson Shanon Banner said.

Rev Chris Yaw of St David's Episcopal church in Southfield said gun destruction after buybacks is what "Michiganders want and expect".

Yaw's church in suburban Detroit has collected hundreds of guns in exchange for gift cards to area stores. Yaw said the line of cars was 3.2 km-long during an event in 2022. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)