A bipartisan bill that would allow schools to create a firearms safety class/hunter safety class has been passed by the Senate.
Michigan House Bill 4285 unanimously passed the Michigan Senate on Thursday, Dec. 18, completing its trip through the Michigan Legislature and will now go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk to be signed into law. The bill was originally introduced by Representative Curt VanderWall of Ludington.
The bill would require firearms safety classes to be taught by certified hunter education instructors. Students would learn about the different types of firearms, their proper usage and handling, safe cleaning and maintenance and safe hunting practices. Real firearms or ammunition would not be allowed in schools as part of the instruction.
HB 4285 would not mandate schools to teach the course, but it would allow firearms safety instruction to be offered as part of an existing class or as an optional extracurricular course. Students who complete the curriculum would also get credit for hunter safety education.
“A key part of this plan is allowing schools to decide whether or not to offer the course,” VanderWall said in a press release. “It’s completely reasonable to assume that a school in Ann Arbor may want to offer drastically different electives than one in Ludington. But for our Northern Michigan communities, giving kids an opportunity to take this course during school hours instead of having to schedule something in the evenings or on a Saturday will make it easier for young people to get involved in hunting.”
Completion of the class, which is also commonly called a firearm safety course, is required for first-time hunters attempting to purchase a base hunting license in Michigan.
“In a time when fewer people are becoming hunters, it’s great to see both Republicans and Democrats support my effort to give students the opportunity to safely learn about firearms and hunting during the school day,”said VanderWall, R-Ludington, in a press release. “This legislation makes it easier for young people to earn a hunting license while learning firearm safety in a structured school environment.”
The course, which could be offered as part of physical education or as an extracurricular activity, would aim to educate students on the following:
The bill received the support of the the Michigan Department of Education, Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Commission, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and National Rifle Association.
