Doesn't matter. A few parents need to be made examples of to get parents to stop being so flippant about firearms in the hands of minors.

The law recognizes a downstream or responsibility from breaking the law. This is why drunk divers can be charged with murder if they cause an accident instead of just DUI.

Or how if your unlicensed teenager takes your car and is in an accident with fatalities, they and you can be charged with manslaughter or homicide. Even if they didn't cause the accident.

What's the difference here?

MI state law is clear. That boy being gifted that gun and having it out in public is in violation of law. Therefore, the parents are reaponsible for what happens downstream from their initial criminal decision.

Decisions have consequences.