LANSING, MI -- Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed a series of bills making it easier to purchase and possess air guns in Michigan by changing the definition of "firearm" in various state statutes.

The package brings Michigan in line with federal standards, ensuring that air guns are not subject to the same regulations as handguns, rifles, shotguns, and other firearms that use explosives to fire bullets.

It also repeals an old law that had prohibited anyone under the age of 18 from carrying a BB gun without an adult present.

"These measures address the confusion that has arisen over Michigan's varying definitions of firearms," Snyder said in a statement announcing that he'd signed the package. "The bills were overwhelmingly supported in both the House and Senate, and will give sportsmen and other residents the clarity they have sought on this issue."

Air guns, which typically shoot a pellet or BB and are often referred to as toy guns, must be sold with an orange safety tip. They have been used to teach gun safety and hunt small game, among other purposes.

The National Rifle Association, which backed the reclassification bills, has said the goal is "to relieve Michiganders, and those seeking to engage in interstate commerce with Michigan residents, from outdated and unduly burdensome restraints on the transfer, purchase and possession of most air guns."

Snyder vetoed similar bills last session after the Legislature sent him an incomplete package that he said would have confused, rather than clarified, state law.

Re-introduced bills passed the House and Senate earlier this year in a series of mostly lopsided votes. Only one measure, the bill repealing the 18-year-old age restriction, saw significant pushback in the upper chamber.

Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, spoke out against the House Bill 4151 on the floor, saying it "very well could be a recipe for disaster." He noted incidents in other states where toy guns have been mistaken for the real thing.

Cleveland police last year shot a 12-year-old boy who was reportedly carrying a BB gun that had its safety cap removed.

"I think the safety of children in this state is paramount," Bieda said. "I think this is something that we should take a really hard look at of whether or not we want a 10-year-old to walk around with a BB gun or an air gun that may look like a real gun."

Other bills in the package signed Tuesday define the term "brandishing" and limit the ability of local governments to regulate air guns beyond state law.

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