Michigan Bill Proposes 8-Hour Firearm Safety Course for Gun Buyers

heavy-duty ear protection muffs and clear safety glasses resting on a wooden bench at a local indoor shooting range, with a blurred paper target hanging downran

AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.

Overview of House Bill 6477

A newly introduced Michigan legislative proposal, House Bill 6477, would require prospective gun buyers to complete an approximately eight-hour, live-fire pistol safety course before obtaining a License to Purchase (LTP) for any firearm. Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-District 56) introduced this bill on November 10, aiming to amend Michigan’s current License to Purchase requirements to include comprehensive Concealed Pistol License (CPL)-level training for all types of guns—including rifles, shotguns, and pistols.

Current Gun Purchase Requirements in Michigan

Previously, Michigan required individuals over 21 to obtain a License to Purchase from law enforcement for pistols, but not for rifles or shotguns. However, as of February 13, 2024, the License to Purchase regulation was expanded to cover long guns as well, primarily affecting private transfers. Purchases made through Federal Firearms Licensees that conduct a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check remain exempt under current law.

Training Details Specified in the Bill

Under House Bill 6477, applicants would need to complete, within the past five years, a pistol safety training course that satisfies standards outlined in section 5j of the Firearms Act. This course is not a simple online quiz or written exam. By law, it must consist of at least five hours of classroom instruction and at least three hours of live-fire range time, where students must fire at least 30 rounds under the supervision of a certified instructor. Upon successful completion, applicants would receive a certificate required for the License to Purchase application process.

Comparison With Other States

The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners has issued a statement opposing House Bill 6477, highlighting that only a minority of states mandate formal training to purchase any firearm. According to the coalition, few require a full eight-hour, live-fire CPL-style course for ordinary long-gun purchases. For example, California’s Firearm Safety Certificate is based on a written test, Maryland’s Handgun Qualification License involves about four hours of training with some live-fire, and Illinois requires no specific training for purchase beyond obtaining a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card (with training only required for concealed carry). If passed, the bill would position Michigan among a limited group of states with stringent training requirements for firearm buyers.

Legislative Status

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Government Operations for further consideration. Currently, Rep. Sharon MacDonell is the sole sponsor of House Bill 6477, and no additional sponsors have been reported at this stage.

Potential Impact on Gun Buyers

If enacted, House Bill 6477 would significantly change gun purchase requirements in Michigan by making a CPL-level firearm safety course mandatory prior to acquiring an LTP for rifles, shotguns, or pistols. Supporters say the bill would promote firearm safety through comprehensive training, while critics argue it represents an unusually restrictive measure compared to other states’ requirements.

Next Steps

The legislative future of House Bill 6477 remains uncertain as it awaits discussion within the House Committee on Government Operations. Observers and stakeholders across Michigan are watching closely as lawmakers consider the bill’s implications for gun ownership and safety training across the state.