It hasn't been, and it's all down to this.
""These restrictions only apply to a person under age 18 who possesses or is armed with a rifle or a shotgun if the firearm is a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun, or if the person is not in compliance with the hunting regulations.""
It's meant to be an exception so that you can take your kids hunting. Prosecution says he's not in compliance with regulations because doesn't have a hunting license. Defense says he's in compliance with regulations because he didn't go hunting without a license. Judge seems sympathetic towards the defense's take but I think most people will disagree.
To my understanding "being in compliance with hunting regulations" means you have your license granted and tags filed and you're legally cleared to go hunting. Not that you sit home and never hunt.