A Mid-Michigan lawmaker, State Rep. Jason Woolford, advocates for a bill that would allow 18-year-olds to obtain concealed pistol licenses, asserting that if they can fight in wars or vote, they should also carry concealed weapons. The proposal challenges existing laws that permit open carry for this age group but restrict concealed carry until the age of 21, a contradiction Woolford seeks to rectify.
While some support the bill, including gun safety advocates who emphasize the need for education, others, like Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, express concerns that lowering the age may lead to increased gun violence. Dewane highlights that many gun-related prosecutions involve individuals aged 18 to 25, suggesting the necessity of gun safety education through alternative means rather than arming younger individuals. The bill has passed a legislative committee and awaits a full House vote, coinciding with a federal proposal on concealed carry regulations.
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