Open Carry in Michigan

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.

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.

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.