PNEUMATIC GUNS; LOCAL REGULATION S.B. 85:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 85 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Dave Hildenbrand
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 319 of 1990, which prohibits local units of government from taxing or regulating the ownership, registration, purchase, sale, transfer, transportation, or possession of pistols or other firearms, to do the following:
-- Extend the Act to pneumatic guns.
-- Specify that the Act would not prohibit local regulation of criminal conduct with a pneumatic gun.
-- Allow a local unit to regulate the possession of pneumatic guns by a person less than 16 years old under certain circumstances.
-- Allow a local unit to prohibit a person from pointing, waving, or displaying a pneumatic gun in a threatening manner intending to induce fear.
-- Allow a city or charter township to prohibit the discharge of a pneumatic gun in a heavily populated area, except at authorized locations or on private property.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
The bill would define "firearm" as any weapon that will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive. "Pneumatic gun" would mean any implement, designed as a gun, that will expel a BB or pellet by spring, gas, or air. The term would include a paintball gun that expels by pneumatic pressure plastic balls filled with paint for the purpose of marking the point of impact.
The Act defines "local unit of government" as a city, village, township, or county.
MCL 123.1101-123.1104 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-11-15 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.