Michigan Gun Laws in Plain English
In Michigan, you can own most types of firearms, including AR-15s and standard magazines, but you must follow strict rules for buying and carrying. You now need a background check for private sales of both handguns and long guns. You must register all pistols with the police. You can get a concealed carry permit if you meet the requirements, but without one, you cannot have a loaded gun in your car. You are also required to lock up your guns if children are present.
Critical: Michigan Gun Law Gotchas
These are the most important things to know that could get you arrested or charged with a crime:
- #1If you get into a vehicle with a pistol on your hip (open carry) and do NOT have a CPL, you are committing a felony (Carrying Concealed Weapon) because Michigan considers any gun in a vehicle 'concealed' (MCL 750.227).
- #2You must return your Pistol Sales Record (RI-060) to the police within 10 days of purchase. Failure to do so is a civil infraction, but can lead to confiscation issues (MCL 28.422a).
- #3If you have a CPL, you must disclose that you are carrying a pistol 'immediately' upon contact with a peace officer (MCL 28.425f).
- #4The legal blood alcohol limit for carrying a firearm is 0.02 (civil infraction) and 0.08 (criminal), which is much lower than the driving limit (MCL 28.425k).
- #5Marijuana is legal in Michigan, but if you possess a medical marijuana card or use recreational marijuana, you are federally prohibited from owning firearms (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3)).
- #6You cannot carry in a 'Pistol Free Zone' (schools, bars, etc.) concealed. While a loophole previously allowed open carry by CPL holders, many locations now ban this via trespass laws.
- #7If you buy a long gun from a private seller, you now need a License to Purchase or a CPL, whereas previously this only applied to pistols (MCL 28.422).
- #8If a minor accesses your unsecured firearm, you can face criminal charges under the new Safe Storage law (MCL 752.863).
- #9A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction now carries an 8-year state prohibition on firearm possession (MCL 750.224f).
- #10Brandishing a firearm is a misdemeanor, but the definition is broad; simply displaying it in a rude or threatening manner counts (MCL 750.234e).
Read these carefully - they cover common mistakes that lead to felony charges.