Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 13, 2003, to reduce the minimum age requirements for obtaining a hunting license from 12 years of age, to 11 years of age if the hunter turns 12 years of age at anytime during the calendar year in which license is issued. This would also be the minumum age for a license to hunt deer, bear, or elk with a firearm, which under current law is 14 years of age. A minor would still need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the field

The vote was 69 in favor, 33 opposed and 8 not voting

(House Roll Call 666 at House Journal 88)

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Meisner, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I strongly support the right of Michiganders to engage in the time-honored tradition of hunting. Hunting has a proud legacy in our state, as evidenced by the deer and elk which can be found in our state seal.

I cannot, however, support putting lethal weapons in the hands of children. This is not based on a lack of confidence in the parents' ability to supervise, but instead, on the premise that this is poor public policy. In my view there are no unreasonable impediments in current law to the younger generation, and the generations that follow, taking part in hunting."

Rep. Condino, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I have voted no on final passage of this bill as it is clear to me that this is no more a parental consent issue than the statutory protection we give young persons who operate motor vehicles. In fact the news is filled with daily reports of adult hunters who misuse firearms while hunting. Protecting our most vulnerable seems worthy given the responsibility that firearm hunting creates. This is the same protection we currently provide to our youth who operate motor vehicles. For this reason I have voted no as to final passage."

Rep. Waters, having reserved the right to explain her protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:

"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:

I voted no on HB 4225 because I believe it is not in the interests of the residents of my district to allow children who are only twelve years old, or just shy of twelve years old, to use firearms. I am also concerned with the vagueness of some of the bill's provisions. In particular, it would allow a child to hunt with firearms not only when the child is with a parent or legal guardian, but with any 'authorized' adult. I am concerned that an adult who is not the child's parent or legal guardian, and who could even just be another young person, may not provide sufficient guidance and protection in a situation involving the use of guns. For this reason and others, this bill does not contain sufficient safety precautions for either the children involved, or for members of the public who could become victims of stray or reckless gunfire."

100% support

thanks to all of our legislators for draging your feet, our kids have lost another deer season. I think I will go hunt and spent my money in Texas were they have common sense and allow kids to hunt.

We'll be in Canada Caribou hunting, my 13 yr old and I. Going to hire a Wisconsin taxidermist. Michigan doesn't want youth hunting dollars, so I won't force it on the exploding Michigan economy.