LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan State Representative Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) introduced House Bill 4184 last week that 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.
This follows the 2021 accident in Kalamazoo County where 12-year-old Deven Free of Galesburg was shot in the head with a BB gun while playing with other young teens. Free eventually died of his injuries.
On introducing the bill, Rogers said, “Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have life-threatening consequences. All too often, these guns are treated as toys, without regard to the dangers they pose. As with all types of guns, adult supervision for children to ensure they are following safety precautions is necessary for everyone’s well-being.”
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.
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