LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jon Bumstead’s legislation to allow firearms safety to be taught in Michigan schools was passed unanimously Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture.
“My office worked very closely with many invested parties, including the Michigan Department of Education and Department of Natural Resources, to find language for this bill that could build up broad bipartisan support,” said Bumstead, R-North Muskegon. “I am grateful my colleagues share my appreciation for the value of this important effort.”
Senate Bill 664 was drafted with support from the MDE and DNR. While it would not mandate schools to teach the course, 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’s safety education.
“This optional course would offer kids a wonderful opportunity to learn the important lessons of firearm safety, the tradition of hunting and Michigan’s great outdoors,” said Bumstead. “On a personal level, I hope these classes could be especially valuable to students who might not grow up in families with hunting traditions.”
The legislation would require firearms safety classes to be taught by certified hunter education instructors. Students would learn the proper usage and handling, including firearm and ammunition storage, safe cleaning and maintenance of different types of firearms and safe hunting practices. Real firearms or ammunition would not be allowed into schools as part of the instruction.
The bill received the support of the MDE, DNR, Natural Resources Commission, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, and the National Rifle Association and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
