Today, the Michigan House Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed House Bill 5085 with recommendation. The NRA thanks members of this committee for voting in favor of this important pro-gun bill and sending HB 5085 to the House floor.
If passed and enacted into law, HB 5085 would reasonably expand the class of individuals who are allowed to supervise and instruct Michigan’s youth in the safe use of pistols. Under current Michigan law, an individual under the age of 18 is prohibited from possessing a pistol “for the purposes of target practice or instruction in the safe use,” unless the “person’s parent or guardian is physically present and supervising the person.” As a result, responsible family members, close friends, range instructors and youth organizations—such as the Boy Scouts of America—are all effectively precluded from supervising and instructing in the safe use of a pistol in a controlled environment.
HB 5085 would amend current law to allow some of the above classes of individuals to provide pistol training and safety instruction to Michigan’s youth, while also ensuring that supervision is undertaken by a responsible adult who is trained in the safe use of a pistol. This legislation accomplishes this by providing that an individual who is 21 years or older, and has successfully completed a state certified pistol training course, may supervise and provide instruction on the safe use of a pistol at a target range.
In preparation for a House floor vote, please contact your state Representative and respectfully urge him or her to vote for HB 5085 without amendment. As always, your NRA-ILA will continue to monitor and update you on this important legislation.
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