KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan State Representative Julie Rogers of Kalamazoo introduced a bill on Wednesday, September 28 that would restore an adult supervision requirement for minors handling BB Guns.
House Bill 6447 would require an adult to be present when minors use pneumatic guns outside their own home or yard to include BB, paintball and pellet guns.
Up until 2015, it was a misdemeanor in Michigan for a minor to use or possess a pneumatic gun outside their home or yard unless accompanied by an adult. The bill would simply restore the requirement for adult supervision.
This as thousands are injured with BB, paintball and pellet guns each year, with four out of five of those injured under the 18, to include an incident near Kalamazoo in 2021 where 12-year-old Deven Free was shot with a BB gun while playing with other young teens. Free ultimately died of his injury, and his family is now working to raise awareness of how BB guns are not toys.
“Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have tragic consequences,” said Rogers. “All too often, these guns are treated as toys. Similar to any other type of gun, it makes sense to have an adult there to make sure kids are following safety precautions with pneumatic guns.”
