Can a minor under 16, or an unlicensed person drive a golf cart on a road?
— Michael, an Ionia Sentinel Standard reader

The golf cart is not listed as an exemption. Per MVC 257.302, which gives a list of exemptions for an operator’s license. If the golf cart is driven on the road, then the operator must have a license.

Nikki, an Ionia Sentinel Standard reader, has two questions concerning felons.

The first is concerning why a felon can possess a bow, but not a firearm. Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 750.224F states that it is a felony punishable by five years in prison if a person did possess, use, transport, sell, purchase, carry, ship, receive or distribute a firearm when ineligible to do so because he or she had been convicted of a felony, and the requirements for regaining eligibility had not been met. A bow does not meet the definition of a firearm, which includes pistols, shotguns and rifles.

The second question concerns where a felon is allowed to live. Nikki’s question described a felon who owns a house but another felon was denied housing because he/she was a felon.

The only reason I can assume for this is because that other person is possibly convicted of a sex crime, which prohibits people on the sex offender register to live within a school zone.

Per your other email explaining this person is not a sex offender; I can not explain why the felon did not get the property. It may be a civil issue or resolved by contacting the Department of Human Rights.

I believe the law states that a felon cannot own or use a firearm.  What actually is considered a firearm?  Does a muzzle-loader (cap-and-ball type) count as a firearm, and could it be used by a felon fo hunting?  Could a felon use a compound bow or crossbow for hunting?
­ —  John, a Sentinel Standard reader

MCL 28,421 defines a firearm for purposes of the Firearms Act. MCL 750.222 defines a firearm for purposes of the Penal Code Firearms Act. A firearm is described as “a weapon from which a dangerous projectile may be propelled by an explosive, or by gas or air.

A firearm does not include a smoothbore rifle or handgun designed and manufactured exclusively for propelling by a spring, or by gas or air, BB’s not exceeding .177 caliber.  A muzzle loader does qualify as a firearm under the Michigan act.  A crossbow or compound bow is not a firearm.