Firearm Safety Education Bill 4285 Approved by Michigan House in Major Step Toward Reviving Hunting Tradition

Michigan lawmakers approved a bill for optional firearm safety courses in schools, aiming to enhance safe hunting practices, support the hunting culture, and address declining participation by teaching responsible gun handling and hunting safety.

Michigan lawmakers move forward with an elective firearm safety education bill aimed at boosting safe hunting practices and preserving outdoor traditions.

Bill Supporting Firearm Safety Education in Schools Heads to State Senate

The Michigan House has approved House Bill 4285, a proposal introduced by Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) to give local school districts the option to offer a firearm safety elective. The legislation outlines a model curriculum aimed at promoting responsible gun handling and supporting the state’s long-standing hunting culture.

The bill directs the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to work with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop the course by Sept. 1, 2025. The curriculum would follow DNR safety standards and must be taught by certified hunter education instructors.

“No one is forced to participate,” VanderWall said in a statement, “but those who do will gain valuable skills that will not only benefit them, but every sportsman in their vicinity during hunting season.”

Course Offers Safety Training, Meets Hunting License Requirement

The proposed elective aims to serve both educational and practical purposes. Students who complete the course will fulfill Michigan’s hunter safety training requirement, a prerequisite for obtaining a hunting license.

The legislation comes at a time when hunting participation across the United States is declining. Meanwhile, Michigan is grappling with a growing deer population. By creating structured pathways for students to learn hunting safety, lawmakers hope to revitalize the outdoor recreation economy and reinforce conservation efforts.

The course may be offered as part of physical education or as an extracurricular activity, depending on how individual school districts implement it. Content areas include:

Safe firearm handling and storage
Firearm maintenance and cleaning
Identification of firearm types
Hunting safety practices

The bill emphasizes safety, barring any firearms or ammunition from being brought onto school property during instruction. Parents and guardians will retain the right to opt their children out of the class without academic penalty.

Local Control and Optional Participation Central to Proposal

VanderWall, who represents Northern Michigan, highlighted the bill’s focus on preserving regional values while ensuring community choice.

“In communities like the ones I represent,” he stated, “hunting isn’t just a pastime, it is a long-held tradition and a way of life.” The legislation reflects that perspective by leaving participation decisions up to local school districts and families.

If a school opts not to offer the course, students may still participate through cooperative education programs with other districts, in accordance with Michigan’s School Aid Act.

Michigan’s Hunting Culture Faces Modern Challenges

According to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan has experienced a steady decline in licensed hunters over the past two decades, mirroring national trends. Declining participation has raised concerns about the future of conservation funding, which relies heavily on hunting-related licenses and fees.

By expanding access to structured hunter safety education through public schools, lawmakers aim to reverse that trend while improving public safety around firearms.

The legislation now moves to the Michigan Senate for further consideration.

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