Michigan House Committee Hearing On Shooter Alert System

A Michigan House Committee heard arguments Tuesday, in favor of a system to alert the public to dangerous events.

The proposed system would work similar to, and use the same architecture as, the Amber Alert system.  It would send out alerts to cell phones and other devices in the event of a mass shooting, shooting spree or terrorist event in the area.

Similar systems already exist in other states, but the push for it in Michigan came about after the Kalamazoo Spree Shooting in February, in which 8 people were shot and 6 were killed over several hours by a shooter.

Some family members of the victims of that shooting spoke at the committee hearing.

Lawmakers seem in favor of the bills, but they will likely be scrutinized before they see a vote, which could come as early as next week.