Michigan Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No. Carrying a pistol concealed on or about the person, or carrying a pistol (concealed or otherwise) in a vehicle the person operates or occupies, without a license is a felony punishable by up to 5 years and/or a $2,500 fine, except in the person's own dwelling, place of business or other land the person possesses.

Concealed pistol license (CPL), applied for with the county clerk of the county where the applicant resides. Shall-issue: 'The county clerk shall issue' a license to an applicant who meets the criteria, including being 21 years of age or older and a Michigan resident for at least 6 months (waived for holders of another state's license who establish residency). Applicant must complete a pistol safety training course of not less than 8 hours within the prior 5 years, including 5 hours of classroom instruction and at least 3 hours on a firing range, firing at least 30 rounds. Fee: $100 application and licensing fee; $115 for renewal. Issue or denial within 45 days after fingerprints are taken (the fingerprint receipt serves as a license if no decision is made in time). Valid until the holder's birthday that falls not less than 4 years or more than 5 years after issuance or renewal.

Michigan's carry statute bans carrying a pistol concealed, or carrying a pistol in a vehicle, without a license; it does not prohibit openly carrying a lawfully possessed pistol on foot, and no permit for open carry was found in the statutes reviewed. Openly carrying in a vehicle counts as carrying in a vehicle and requires a CPL. A person without a concealed-carry license (from Michigan or another state) may not possess a firearm in banks, churches and other houses of worship, courts, theaters, sports arenas, day care centers, hospitals, or establishments licensed by the liquor control code unless the owner permits it.

A license to purchase a pistol (or, since February 13, 2024, a license for a private purchase of any firearm) may be issued to a person 18 years of age or older, or 21 years of age or older for a pistol bought from a federally licensed seller. It is a crime to knowingly sell a firearm more than 26 inches long to a person under 18 (misdemeanor up to 90 days and $500 for a first violation). Exceptions allow younger persons supervised target practice and hunting.

Yes, since February 13, 2024. A person may not buy a pistol, or (for acquisitions after that date) any other firearm, without first obtaining a license from the local police chief or county sheriff, unless exempt. Exempt buyers include holders of a Michigan concealed pistol license, federally licensed dealers, certified police officers, and buyers of a firearm other than a pistol who passed a federal NICS check run by a federally licensed dealer no more than 5 days before the purchase. Exempt purchases are recorded on a State Police form; pistol records are forwarded to local police within 10 days. Licenses are void unless used within 30 days.

Michigan has no state law that sets a waiting period between buying a firearm and taking delivery. Where a license to purchase is required, the license must be used within 30 days after it is issued.

Yes (Extreme Risk Protection Order Act). A petition may be filed in the family division of circuit court by the respondent's spouse or former spouse, a person with a child in common, a current or former dating partner, a current or former household member, a family member, a guardian, a law enforcement officer, or a health care provider. The court issues an order if it finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent can reasonably be expected in the near future to seriously injure self or others by possessing a firearm. An order may issue without notice on clear and convincing evidence (decided within 1 business day), with a hearing within 14 days after service if the respondent requests one. An order expires 1 year after issuance.

Michigan has no state law that bans assault weapons or limits magazine capacity. State law does ban manufacturing, selling or possessing machine guns and silencers, and converting a semiautomatic firearm to fully automatic.

Without a CPL, a pistol may not be carried in a vehicle, concealed or openly (felony). Exception: a pistol licensed to the vehicle's owner or an occupant may be transported for a lawful purpose if it is unloaded in a closed case designed for firearms and kept in the trunk (or, in a vehicle without a trunk, not readily accessible to occupants). A CPL holder may carry a concealed pistol in a vehicle subject to the license's restrictions.

Michigan honors concealed pistol licenses issued by any other state: the licensing requirement does not apply to a United States citizen holding a license to carry a concealed pistol issued by another state. Michigan does not issue CPLs to nonresidents (applicants must have resided in Michigan at least 6 months, with exceptions).

CPL holders may not carry a concealed pistol on the premises of: schools or school property (a parent dropping off or picking up a student may carry while in a vehicle); child care centers, day care centers, child caring institutions and child placing agencies; sports arenas and stadiums; bars or taverns whose primary income is selling alcohol by the glass; property of a place of worship unless the presiding official allows it; entertainment facilities seating 2,500 or more; hospitals; and college or university dormitories and classrooms. Parking areas are not 'premises.' Penalties: civil infraction up to $500 and 6-month license suspension for a first violation, misdemeanor for a second, felony (up to 4 years) for a third. Separately, firearms are banned (for anyone, including CPL holders) at polling places and early voting sites while open, within 100 feet of their entrances, near absent-voter drop boxes in the 40 days before an election, and at absentee ballot counting places, with exceptions including firearms lawfully in a vehicle.

Michigan has no state law that requires serial numbers on, or bans, homemade or unserialized firearms or firearm kits. It is a felony (up to 2 years or $1,000) to willfully alter, remove or obliterate the maker's name, model, manufacturer's number or other mark of identity on a pistol or other firearm.