LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation that would lift the state's ban on short-barreled shotguns and rifles.

Sponsoring state Sen. Mike Green, R-Mayville, said that Senate Bill 610 would align Michigan with more than 40 other states that allow residents to own such guns if they meet federal requirements.

Current law prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale or possessing a short-barreled shotgun or rifle in Michigan. There is an exception allowing ownership of an antique gun unlikely to be used as a weapon.

"In Michigan, only people who wish to spend a considerable amount of money to own an antique version of this firearm may own them," said Robert Ianni of the Michigan Attorney General's Office, "but if you want a replica of that antique, you can't buy one. In reality, it's the law itself that is an antique."

Ianni pointed out that sawed-off shotguns would still be prohibited under Green's legislation, which the attorney general's office supports.

Short-barreled shotguns and rifles are regulated under federal law and must be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Buyers are required to go through a background check and pay a $200 tax.

Because short-barreled guns are less than 26 inches in length, they would also be subject to existing pistol regulations in Michigan.

Dakota Moore, a state liaison with the National Rifle Association, called SB 610 a "pragmatic amendment" to Michigan law, which currently includes punishments of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500 for violators.

There were 69 felony convictions for individuals who made, sold or possessed short-barreled shotguns or rifles in Michigan last year, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency. However, it is unclear how many of those individuals were in compliance with federal law at the time they were prosecuted under state law.

The Michigan State Police are neutral on the bill, and there was no opposition testimony offered during Tuesday's hearing. The measure now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Separately, the Judiciary Committee also unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that would increase penalties for drive-by shootings and make it easier for prosecutors to press charges in the case of injury or death.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.