Michigan Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Michigan: Gun Laws Summary

Michigan is a shall-issue state where licenses are issued at the local level by county clerks. A Michigan license to purchase a pistol or a background check is required to buy a handgun. Handguns can only be purchased by residents, while non-residents are allowed to purchase long guns. Although there is no firearm registry, all handgun sales require a pistol sales record form to be filed with the Michigan State Police. [MCL § 28.422]

Open Carry and Concealed Carry in Michigan

Open carry is legal in Michigan for residents who are at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm, provided the gun is registered in their name. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state to conceal or open carry. Open carry is allowed in more places than concealed carry as the restricted areas referenced in Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425o apply to concealed carry.

Concealed carry is legal for residents with a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) and for non-residents who are at least 21 years old and who have licenses/permits from their state of residency. CPLs require successful completion of a firearms training course that has been state approved with at least eight hours of instruction, including three hours of range time. Some areas are off-limits to concealed carry, including schools and hospitals. [MCL § 28.425k]

Reciprocity

Michigan recognizes resident licenses from all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. [Michigan State Police]

Exceptions to CPL Requirement

Michigan Complied Laws Section 28.432a includes a list of individuals that are excepted from requiring a CPL, which includes specific peace officers, members of the military in the line of duty, etc. [MCL § 28.432a]

Self-Defense

Michigan is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A person may use deadly force, with no duty to retreat anywhere he or she has the legal right to be. Any person who uses a gun legitimately in self-defense has immunity from civil liability. An individual not engaged in the commission of a crime may use non-deadly force against another individual anywhere he or she has the legal right to be with no duty to retreat if the person honestly and reasonably believes that the use of that force is necessary to defend himself or herself or another individual from the imminent unlawful use of force by another individual. An individual not engaged in the commission of a crime may use deadly force against another individual anywhere he or she has the legal right to be with no duty to retreat if the person honestly and reasonably believes that the use of that force is necessary to prevent imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual, or imminent sexual assault of himself or herself or of another individual. [MCL § 780.972, 780.973, 780.974]

Michigan: Gun Laws at a Glance


Concealed Carry of Weapons Other Than Handguns in Michigan	License holders may carry concealed handguns and tasers.
Chemical Spray/Pepper Spray in Michigan	Yes, the reasonable use of pepper spray by a person in the protection of a person or property under circumstances that would justify the person’s use of physical force is allowed in Michigan. Individuals may possess self-defense spray or foam devices that contain no more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients, with no more than 18% oleoresin capsicum, with or without ultraviolet dye. Minors may not purchase or possess pepper spray. [Mich. Penal Code 750.224d]
Magazine Capacity Restrictions for Handguns in Michigan	No. Michigan law does not restrict magazine capacity in handguns.
Ammunition Restrictions in Michigan	Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. [Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 750.224c(1)]
Constitutional Carry in Michigan	No. Michigan does not recognize constitutional carry.
Open Carry in Michigan	Yes, without a license for residents that are at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm, provided the gun is registered in their name. Non-residents must have a permit from their home state. Open carry is allowed in more places than concealed carry as the restricted areas referenced in Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425o apply to concealed carry and not to open carry.
Issuing of Concealed Carry Licenses in Michigan	Michigan is a shall-issue state.
Minimum Age for Concealed Carry License in Michigan	The minimum age to carry concealed in Michigan is 21.
Tasers and Stun Guns in Michigan	Yes and no. A concealed carry license is required to purchase or possess a Taser. Permittees may have and use a Taser in a reasonable way, as long as: you have a valid Michigan license to carry a concealed pistol; you’ve received training in the use and risks of the Taser; and the device has an identification and tracking system that allows it to be traced to the buyer (presumably through the darts) when it’s first used. It’s illegal to use a Taser except under circumstances that justify the legal use of physical force, including to defend yourself or someone else from an attack or sexual assault. Stun Guns are illegal in Michigan. [Mich. Penal Code 750.224a]

Michigan: Carry Locations


Carrying at Roadside Rest Areas	Yes. You may concealed carry at roadside rest areas in Michigan.
Carrying in Bars and Restaurants that Serve Alcohol	You can concealed carry in the restaurant area of an eatery that serves alcohol with a valid concealed carry license, unless posted and provided you’re not under the influence (blood alcohol level >0.02). Concealed carry is not allowed in bars. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425k][Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425o(d)]
Carrying on Hotel Property	Michigan statutes don’t specifically address firearms at hotels. Please note that each hotel develops their own policies and the individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it’s concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
Storing Firearms in Private Vehicles in an Employee Parking Lot	Not addressed in Michigan state law, although employers may have a policy.
Carrying in a Vehicle	Yes, handguns only may be carried with a valid concealed pistol license. Without a license, handguns must be unloaded and in a closed case designed for the storage of firearms either in the trunk of the vehicle or for vehicles without a trunk, not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle. [Mich. Penal Code §§ 750.227(2) and 750.231a(1)(a)]
Carrying in State/National Parks, State/National Forests, and Wildlife Management Areas	Yes. You may carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Michigan. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Michigan. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 324.504(8)]

Michigan: Key State Laws


Do you have a duty to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Michigan?	Yes. You have a duty to inform that you are carrying a concealed handgun upon contact with law enforcement. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425f(3)]
Does Michigan have a red flag law?	No. Michigan does not have a red flag law.
Does Michigan state law define brandishing?	Yes. A person may not willfully and knowingly brandish (to point, wave about or display in a threatening manner with the intent to produce fear in another) a firearm in public except in a lawful act of self-defense or the defense of another. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.234e]
Does Michigan allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No, however the information is available for law enforcement.
Is my Michigan driver’s license linked to my Michigan carry license?	Yes. Your Michigan driver’s license is linked to your Michigan concealed pistol license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry license holder if they run your driver’s license.
Does Michigan have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or controlled substances?	Not while under the influence of alcoholic liquor (BAC of 0.02 or greater) or a controlled substance or while having a bodily alcohol content prohibited under this section. “Controlled substance” means that term as defined in MCL § 333.7104.”Under the influence of alcoholic liquor or a controlled substance” means that the individual’s ability to properly handle a pistol or to exercise clear judgment regarding the use of that pistol was substantially and materially affected by the consumption of alcoholic liquor or a controlled substance. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425k] As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.
Does Michigan issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?	Yes, only to active-duty military stationed in Michigan or active duty military stationed outside of Michigan, but Michigan is the applicant’s home of record. Also, if a new Michigan resident has a current concealed carry license from another state, Michigan will accept that and waive the 6-month residency requirement.
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	No. “No Weapons” signs are not enforced in Michigan.
Does Michigan have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption over firearms laws in Michigan, except local municipalities may: * Prohibit the discharge of firearms or pneumatic guns (with some restrictions on the latter prohibition) within the jurisdiction of a city or charter township;

Prohibit or regulate conduct with a firearm or pneumatic gun that is a criminal offense under state law; and
Prohibit or regulate the transportation, carrying, or possession of firearms or pneumatic guns by employees of a local unit of government in the course of their employment with that local unit of government.

[Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 123.1102-1104] |

Michigan: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Can I possess/carry a handgun in my home without a license?	Yes. A license is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm, to carry a handgun about a person’s place of business, residence, land that he or she owns or between the person’s dwelling and place of business.Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. §§ 750.227(2)
Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Michigan?	Only Michigan residents may purchase pistols in Michigan. A National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check is performed on all commercial firearm sales at the time of purchase. The Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) may elect to use a valid Michigan License to Purchase a Pistol (received from your local police department) in lieu of a NICS background check. The buyer must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of Michigan, possess a clean criminal background, and be mentally stable. Upon purchase a Pistol Sales Record (RI-60) form is completed. One copy of this form will be kept by the seller, one by the purchaser, and the third must be filed with the Michigan State Police through your local police department within 10 days of your purchase.Michigan State Police
Are background checks required for private gun sales in Michigan?	Yes. A person acquiring a handgun must have a License To Purchase a Pistol. A background check is required to obtain this license. Mich. Comp. Laws 28.422a
Does my current Michigan concealed carry license exempt me from needing a background check when I purchase a firearm?	No.
Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Michigan?	No. Michigan has no waiting period for the purchase of a handgun.
Do handguns need to be registered in Michigan?	Although there is no firearm registry, all handgun sales require a Pistol Sales Record (RI-60) form to be filed with the Michigan State Police. There are several exceptions including, but not limited to, police officers.
What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Michigan?	18 years old. Generally, an individual less than 18 years of age shall not possess a firearm in public except under the direct supervision of an individual 18 years of age or older, although there are exceptions for hunting, target/shooting ranges.
Handgun Purchase Process	Only a Michigan resident may purchase a handgun in Michigan. A NICS background check is performed on all commercial firearm sales at the time of purchase. The FFL may elect to use a valid Michigan License to Purchase a Pistol (LTP) or have the purchaser complete a Federal Form 4473 for a NICS background check. To purchase a pistol in a private transaction, the buyer must have a Michigan CPL or LTP. License to Purchase a Pistol (RI-10 Form) A License to Purchase a Pistol can only be obtained from your local police or sheriff’s office. You will need a valid Michigan driver’s license or Michigan state ID with your current address listed to get your license. Generally, the background check that is conducted to get a LTP will take between 24 and 48 hours, and you will be allowed to pick up your license after that criminal and mental health record background check has been completed. A LTP must be used within 30 days of the date it is issued or it will be void. One copy of your RI-10 will be kept on record by the seller, one by the purchaser and the third must be filed with the Michigan State Police through your local police department within 10 days of your purchase.