SUPERVISION FOR MINORS AT TARGET RANGES

House Bill 5085

Sponsor:  Rep. Phil Potvin

Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 12-2-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5085 AS INTRODUCED 10-17-13

Generally, an individual is required to obtain a license from local law enforcement before purchasing, carrying, possessing, or transporting a pistol.  There are a number of exemptions from licensure; one of those is for individuals under the age of 18 who are at a recognized target range for target practice or instruction in pistol safety and under the physical presence and supervision of a parent or guardian.

House Bill 5085 would amend Section 2 of the Handgun Licensure Law to remove the requirement that an individual under the age of 18 be under the physical presence and supervision of a parent or guardian, and instead, require the person to be in the physical presence and under the direct supervision of any of the following:

o                   The person’s parent;

o                   The person’s guardian; or

o                   An individual who is 21 years of age or older and has successfully completed a pistol safety training course or class that meets the requirements of Section 5J of the act.

[Section 5J provides that pistol training programs meet the requirements for knowledge or training in the safe use and handling of a pistol if the program consists of at least 8 hours of instruction and meets all of the following:

o                   The program is certified by a state or national firearms training organization and provides 5 hours of instruction in all of the following:

§                     Safe storage, use, and handling of a pistol, including storage, use, and handling to protect children.

§                     Ammunition knowledge and the fundamentals of pistol shooting.

§                     Pistol shooting positions.

§                     Legal issues, including civil liability and the use of deadly force.

§                     Avoiding criminal attack and controlling violent confrontations.

§                     All applicable state laws for carrying a concealed pistol.

o                   The program provides at least 3 hours of firing range instruction and the firing of at least 30 rounds.

o                   The program provides a certificate of completion that certifies the program is in compliance with these requirements and the course was successfully completed.

o                   The course instructor is certified by the state or a national organization to teach the course.]

MCL 28.422

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no significant state or local fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.