Snyder Signs Bills To Loosen Airsoft Gun Restrictions

LANSING (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder has signed laws relaxing Michigan's restrictions on BB, pellet and paintball guns.

Under bills approved Tuesday, the airsoft guns will no longer qualify as firearms under state law.

Snyder says the laws address confusion surrounding definitions of firearms and provide clarity to sportsmen and others.

One law, with some exceptions, prohibits local governments from regulating airsoft guns since they already cannot regulate firearms. Another law repeals a law barring children under age 18 from using BB handguns outside their house unless accompanied by an adult.

Counties, cities, townships and villages can require children under 16 with air guns to be supervised by a parent or adult except on private property. The laws do not prohibit local regulation of criminal conduct with an air gun.

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