Some Minnesota legislators want to lower the age that children can use a firearm to go hunting from 12 to 11 years old.
The measure would allow 11-year-olds to get firearm safety certificates after completing a class. Currently, 11-year-olds can take the safety course, but their certificate is not valid until they turn 12.
"I certainly went out hunting younger than 11 and I took my daughter out pheasant hunting when she was about 8," said Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, a sponsor of the measure. "I just think 'When is it not a good time to learn about gun safety?"
Gunther and Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, introduced the measure in May, and it is likely to get a hearing in the next legislative session.
"Of course you've got to be concerned when an 11-year-old is holding a gun, but I think they are mature enough to learn about safe hunting," Gunther said.
Minnesota is joining states like Idaho, Wisconsin and New York that have looked at lowering legal ages various hunting activities in recent years, whether it is adult supervised hunts or big-game hunting for wolves and bear.
The change is being sought as firearm manufacturers and their surrogates, like the National Rifle Association, have launched an effort to attract younger hunters to stem long-term declines in interest in shooting sports.
Jon Paurus, education coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said the measure would not be a dramatic change from what is already happening. Those younger than 11 years old can already go small-game hunting with a supervising adult.
According to hunting incident reports from the DNR, nine of the 332 hunting incidents in the state from 2002 to 2013 involved shooters under the age of 12.
Paurus said the 12-year-old age limit for the safety certificate is pretty standard for surrounding states.
"[Hunting has] always been a way of life around here," Paurus said. "I think the ages we have set now have worked for more than 60 years and will continue to work into the future."
According to the Future of Hunting and Shooting Sports, nearly 60 percent of hunters first went hunting between the ages of 10 and 12 years old.
