Folks Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts Could Go On Do-Not-Sell List For Guns Under Bill

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/10/2025) Someone experiencing suicidal thoughts could have their names put on a temporary or indefinite do-not-sell list for firearms, under legislation by Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor).

Bayer – the sponsor of SB 539 – lost her eighth grade friend to suicide, as well as her cousin more than 10 years ago. She testified on her legislation in front of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, describing the proposal as "a new suicide prevention tool by adding a delay and acting on suicidal thoughts."

"SB 539 offers individuals the opportunity to help themselves avoid the temptation of buying a firearm to use it on themselves, by requesting they be added to the national do-not-sell list for firearms," Bayer said, "The only way a person can be put on the list is by themselves."

The senator introduced similar legislation in the 2023-24 term and passed with no Republican support last mid-December. It was not taken up for vote in the House, which was then under Democratic control.

Nationally, the policy trend is referred to as "Donna's Law," in memory of Donna Nathan of Louisiana – a 67-year-old mother struggling with diagnosed bipolar disorder – who used her phone and GPS, and searched for firearm stores near her after being released from a voluntary visit to a psychiatric facility.

Never having owned a gun before, Nathan purchased a revolver, pink bullets that promoted breast cancer awareness and shot herself in New Orleans' Audubon Park.

More than seven years after Nathan's death, Washington State, Delaware, Colorado, Virginia and Utah adopted "Donna's Law" policies.

"She had voluntarily and repeatedly admitted herself to a psychiatric hospital for treatment, specifically for suicidal thinking. In doing so, she gave up nearly all of her liberty, but she could not give up her ability to purchase a firearm," said Dr. Frederick Vars, a mental health and firearm law instructor at the University of Alabama, "She hated guns, but that's what a Google search told her was the most effective means."

Vars said Nathan's daughter, Katrina Brees, believes her mother would have signed up to be placed on a do-not-sell list.

"I have bipolar disorder. I have been suicidal. I want to sign up. An alarming 15% of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide. If I had easy access to a gun at certain points in my life, I (might) already be one of them," Vars said, "You lose joy, you lose hope and you lose the ability to make rational decisions. However, like almost all people with mental illness, I have periods of clarity. During these periods, I want to protect myself."

According to the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission, residents 25 to 34 years old experienced a suicide rate of 18 per 100,000 individuals in 2022, a rate of 23.4 per 100,000 among those aged 35 to 44, and a 19.5 per 100,000 for residents aged 45 to 54.

Overall, the rate per 100,000 Michiganders has grown from 12.8 in 2013 to 14.6 in 2022. Of the 1,493 suicide deaths in 2022, firearms were involved in 56% of them.

Under SB 539 , folks could apply to be on a temporary do-not-sell list for 180 days by applying to the county clerk where they reside and presenting ID or applying with their local law enforcement agency. If they don't want to wait 180 days for their name to be taken off automatically, they could seek early removal from the same entities they applied to.

They could also apply to be on an indefinite do-not-sell list. When on this list, removal within 90 days would depend on the person petitioning their county's circuit court and the court determining the request would be made "voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently."

Within 24 hours of names being added to lists, the Michigan State Police would insert information into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Adding someone else's name will result in a five-year, $1,000 felony.

Dr. Brian Stork, a Muskegon-based community urologist, spoke on behalf of the Michigan State Medical Society's support for SB 539 .

He described western Michigan recently experiencing a "very violent weekend," with a domestic violence suspect in Grand Rapids – who was expressing suicidal ideation – opening fire on three police officers at a traffic stop. The incident did not result in serious officer injuries.

"It allows individuals, during periods of clarity and stability, to proactively implement powerful guardrails to protect themselves and others during future times of crisis," Stork said.

Stork said when discussing the proposal with colleagues, one admitted to struggling with bipolar disorder beforehand of diagnosis and treatment, being "very angry" and once breaking their child's crib.

"I just think it speaks to the fact that all of us suffer, all of us have times of crisis. All of us need times of grace and all of us sometimes need time," Stork said, "Voluntary do-not-sell lists empower individuals."

SB 539 passed Wednesday’s committee while Sens. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) and Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) were absent.