Education: curriculum; firearm safety instruction; provide for. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1163a.
Summary
SB 58 would require the Michigan Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources, to develop and publish a model firearm safety instruction program for students in grades 6 through 12 by June 1, 2025. The model program must be at least 10 hours long, align with the state’s existing safe firearm handling course, and be taught by a Department of Natural Resources-certified hunter education instructor. The required topics include firearm handling, cleaning and maintenance, firearm types, safe hunting practices, and safe storage of firearms and ammunition.
The bill does not require schools to offer the instruction, but it authorizes school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies to provide it as an optional extracurricular class or as part of an existing course related to self-expression and recreational activity. It also prohibits bringing firearms or ammunition into a school building for the instruction. Students must be excused from the class at the request of the student or parent/guardian without penalty or loss of academic credit, and completion of the instruction would count as completion of the hunter safety course needed to obtain a hunting license under state law.
Impact
SB 58 would add a new section to the Revised School Code and create a state-developed model curriculum for firearm safety instruction in grades 6-12. It would also tie completion of the school-based instruction to the hunter safety requirement in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, effectively allowing students to satisfy the hunting-license safety course through this program. The bill affects the Department of Education, the Department of Natural Resources, public school districts, intermediate school districts, public school academies, students in grades 6-12, and families who may opt out.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the measure appears to be framed as a safety and education initiative rather than a mandate on schools. Its optional structure, opt-out provision, and alignment with existing hunter education standards suggest an attempt to make the proposal more acceptable to schools and families with differing views on firearms. No formal vote history or transcript is available here to show broader legislative support or opposition.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the subject matter itself and the role of firearms in schools. Supporters would likely emphasize firearm safety, responsible handling, and the convenience of allowing students to satisfy hunter safety requirements through school-based instruction. Opponents may object to introducing firearm-related curriculum in schools, even without live firearms or ammunition, or may question whether the state should encourage hunting-related instruction in public education. The bill addresses some concerns by making the course optional, allowing parents or students to opt out, and prohibiting firearms and ammunition from being brought into school buildings.
Directs the commissioner of education to develop curriculum for firearm safety classes in schools; provides for schools to be able to provide firearm safety instruction which can be used to obtain a hunting license.