LANSING, MI — On December 23, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4285 into law, establishing a voluntary firearm safety education program for Michigan middle and high school students.

House Bill 4285 (now Public Act 48 of 2025) authorizes schools across the state to offer firearm safety instruction to students in grades 6 through 12. The legislation requires the Michigan Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), to create a model curriculum covering essential firearm safety topics. These include responsible handling, cleaning, maintenance, and hunting practices.

The program was required by law to be available no later than September 1, 2025, and must be taught by instructors certified by the DNR as hunter education instructors. Students who complete the course will receive a Hunter Safety Certification, satisfying state requirements for obtaining a hunting license.

Importantly, the law specifies that firearms or ammunition may not be brought into school buildings during instruction. The course is strictly voluntary and may be offered as an extracurricular option or as part of an existing class. Parents or guardians can request that their child be excused without penalty.

HB 4285 was sponsored by Rep. Curtis VanderWall and supported by a broad coalition of lawmakers. A similar Senate initiative led by Sen. Jon Bumstead helped move the effort forward.

This legislative development has been welcomed by the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), which praised the bill as a step toward instilling safe firearm practices and outdoor responsibility among young Michiganders.

Voluntary firearm education in schools reflects a growing recognition of the importance of early, structured safety training. By equipping students with factual, state-certified instruction, this program offers families an opportunity to introduce responsible firearm ownership through education—not politics.

This initiative stands as a model for other states considering similar efforts, rooted in safety, responsibility, and respect for firearms.