LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jon Bumstead on Thursday voted for legislation to allow firearms safety to be taught in Michigan schools.
“This optional course would offer kids a great opportunity to learn important lessons about hunter safety, which would be especially valuable for students who might not grow up in families with a tradition of hunting,” said Bumstead, R-Norton Shores. “This is the result of years of hard work with the House and many invested parties, including the Michigan Department of Education and Department of Natural Resources, to find the right balance. I am grateful that we are finally getting this initiative over the finish line and to the governor.”
House Bill 4285 is similar to Senate Bill 58, which Bumstead introduced in February, and legislation Bumstead has introduced in previous sessions.
The bill 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.
“Each school district would have the option of whether to offer the course, and parents could opt their child out,” Bumstead said. “This is about offering an option to learn about firearm safety, not forcing it on anyone.”
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.
Bumstead’s bill received the support of the MDE, DNR, Natural Resources Commission, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and National Rifle Association.
###
