On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law anti-bullying legislation, while admitting he was bullied as a child in school. The law requires Michigan school districts to adopt an anti-bullying policy within six months.

Most schools have wording in the school planners and discipline matrix concerning bullying. By the end of this school year, all Michigan schools are required to have a policy in place. Wording for the law had been an issue, but now it’s very clear what bullying is and what schools can do about it.

The discipline matrix will inform students that if they commit this negative behavior, there will be negative consequences. As the community service trooper, I have been discussing bullying in the local schools, from preschool age to high school students, and many schools are very proactive in this situation.

Michigan became the 48th state to enact such legislation. Bullying has received a significant amount of attention following a number of high-profile school shootings and related incidents of violence in the late 1990 and 2000 school years. Bullying is a serious issue and worthy of reasonable attention, awareness and action. Schools, parents, and most of all, our youth, need to be aware of appropriate behaviors for youth and how inappropriate behaviors should be addressed. MCL 380.1310b, the Revised School Code (excerpt) Act 451 of 1976 explains this new law.

Q: John, an Ionia Sentinel Standard reader, asks questions about Michigan’s Personal Protection Order (PPO), commonly known as restraining orders.

“Concerning a P.P.O. on an average person, not a felon, it states that the person cannot own or possess a firearm, or a weapon or anything to be used as a weapon.  How does this affect hunting?  I understand that they could not use a firearm to hunt, but again what about a compound bow or a crossbow?  Also can a person under a P.P.O. legally own a bow, crossbow, hunting knife?  The wording weapon seems a little unclear when it comes to a P.P.O.”

He also asks, “if a P.P.O. is in effect, can that individual own or use a blank-only firing pistol? Also, in concerns of a P.P.O., how do the ‘air-soft’ guns, pistols, etc. come into play with that law? I personally do not consider them ‘toys,’ but that is how many of them are portrayed. It just seems to be a very grey area, as some of these Airsoft guns are now made of metal and are very realistic.”

A: I verified the wording on the PPO and, unless the judge adds anything, such as a compound or cross bow, the PPO prohibits the effected person “from purchasing or possessing a firearm.” This does eliminate gun season. The compound and cross bows are not classified as firearms per the legal definition.

“Blank” guns are not firearms, as they do not project a dangerous projectile. Per an attorney general opinion from 2004, the Airsoft guns, paintball guns, etc., are designed as recreational devices, not for the intent of threats or injury, and their projectiles are not designed to penetrate, therefore, they are not considered firearms.