Updated October 2026 to reflect Michigan’s current purchase, storage, red flag and domestic violence laws. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Incidents, often involving mass shootings or acts of gun violence in Michigan, have propelled public and legislative dialogue toward stricter gun control measures. The legislative changes aim to address gaps in the existing laws and provide a framework for preventing gun violence, balancing the rights of responsible gun owners with the broader goal of safeguarding the community from the risks associated with firearms.
In light of these recent legislative adjustments, it’s essential to be well-informed about your rights and duties as a firearm owner in the state.
If you’re looking to comprehend every aspect of firearm ownership, from purchase to carrying them, and remain compliant with the law, we’ve got you covered.
Recent legislative updates in Michigan now require universal background checks for all firearm purchases. This is a shift from previous laws that required checks mainly for pistol sales. Now, whether you’re buying a pistol, rifle, or any other type of firearm, a comprehensive background check is a mandatory step in the process.
What Does a Background Check Entail?
Buying a firearm in Michigan requires a background check to ensure you’re a responsible and eligible owner. This check looks at several factors to make that determination:
These stringent requirements ensure that firearms do not fall into the hands of those with criminal backgrounds or those prohibited from owning guns.
Since February 13, 2024, the rules depend on what you’re buying and who you’re buying it from:
Every pistol sale is recorded on a Firearm Sales Record (or the LTP itself), and the seller must return the police copy within 10 days so the pistol is registered in the buyer’s name. The buyer should keep their copy with the firearm. Long guns do not have to be registered in Michigan.
Buying a gun online works the same way: it ships to a licensed dealer like ICB Firearms, and you complete the paperwork and background check here before pickup. See our FFL transfers in St. Clair Shores page for details.
Are you thinking about carrying a concealed pistol in Michigan? The state has specific laws to ensure everyone’s safety. The law determines who can get a permit and when you can carry concealed.
To carry a concealed pistol in Michigan lawfully, individuals are required to secure a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). This entails various steps, including:
These requirements ensure that only responsible and law-abiding citizens are granted the privilege to carry concealed firearms. Training emphasizes safe handling, storage, and usage of firearms, aiming to reduce accidents and enhance public safety.
In practice, Michigan CPL applicants must be at least 21, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and a Michigan resident for at least six months. The required pistol safety course is at least 8 hours, including at least 3 hours on a range firing at least 30 rounds. You apply through the county clerk in the county where you live; a new license is $100 and a renewal is $115, plus fingerprinting fees.
Michigan recognizes concealed carry licenses issued to nonresidents by any other state, as long as the visitor follows the terms of their license and Michigan’s laws on where pistols can be carried. Whether your Michigan CPL is honored elsewhere depends on the other state, and their rules can differ a lot from ours. Check the official law of every state you plan to carry in or travel through before you go.
Michigan’s laws permit the open carrying of firearms in many situations, reflecting the state’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment. However, understanding where open carry is allowed and the proper way to interact with law enforcement when carrying openly is crucial for ensuring compliance with the law and promoting safety.
Adults who can legally possess a firearm may generally open carry a lawfully owned pistol in Michigan, but there are important limits:
Even where open carry is legal, it can alarm people who don’t expect it. Be responsible and considerate, and check local rules if you’re unsure.
Exercising your right to open carry in Michigan might lead to interactions with law enforcement. Officers may inquire about the firearm for safety reasons, and being cooperative and respectful during these interactions can help to de-escalate any potential tension. To ensure a smooth encounter for everyone’s safety, here are some helpful tips:
It’s also important for carriers to be knowledgeable about their rights in these situations, including the limitations of law enforcement’s authority regarding stop-and-question procedures.
Michigan takes firearm safety seriously, and that includes how you transport your guns. Whether you’re a seasoned gun owner or just starting, understanding the transportation laws is crucial.
Without a CPL, a pistol can be transported in a vehicle only for a lawful purpose, unloaded, in a closed case designed for storing firearms, and in the trunk. If the vehicle has no trunk, the cased, unloaded pistol must be somewhere not readily accessible to anyone in the vehicle. Rifles and shotguns must also be unloaded and either in a case or in the trunk (or otherwise not readily accessible). With a valid CPL, you may carry a loaded pistol in your vehicle, subject to the pistol-free zone rules.
Transporting firearms across state lines or by air requires adherence to federal laws as well as the laws of the state to which you are traveling. For air travel, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandates that firearms be unloaded, packed in a hard-sided locked case, and declared at the airline check-in counter.
Once declared, the airline staff will provide specific instructions on how to proceed, which may vary slightly depending on the airline. Ammunition must also be securely packed in its original box or a hard case. These regulations ensure that firearms are safely transported in the cargo area of the plane, away from passengers.
Holding a concealed pistol license (CPL) in Michigan allows individuals significant freedom regarding where they can carry firearms. However, there are still specific locations designated as “pistol-free” zones where carrying firearms is prohibited. Understanding these restrictions is necessary for lawful carry and respecting the boundaries set for public safety and private property rights.
“Pistol-free” zones refer to specific locations designated by Michigan legislation where the presence of firearms is strictly prohibited, regardless of whether a person holds a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). As previously pointed out above, such locations encompass but are not limited to educational institutions, child care centers, sports facilities, and establishments, generating a majority of their revenue from alcohol sales, religious venues, theaters, and medical facilities.
The rationale for establishing these zones as firearm-restricted is to ensure the safety and security of the community, particularly in environments that are regularly visited by children and large gatherings. Exceptions to these restrictions exist for certain individuals, such as law enforcement officers and individuals with specific permissions. Violating pistol-free zone laws can result in serious penalties, including fines and revocation of the CPL.
Election sites: Since 2024, Michigan also bans firearms inside, or within 100 feet of the entrance to, a polling place on election day and early voting sites while early voting is open; within 100 feet of absentee ballot drop boxes for the 40 days before an election; at clerk’s offices during in-person absentee voting; and at absentee ballot counting places while ballots are processed. Concealed carry with a valid license and firearms kept in a vehicle are exempt from most of these rules, but not at absentee ballot counting places. Violations are a misdemeanor.
In addition to the legally defined pistol-free zones, CPL holders must also observe restrictions in other public and private spaces. Private property owners have the right to prohibit firearms on their premises, and this right is upheld by Michigan law. Signs are often posted at entrances to inform visitors of such restrictions. CPL holders are expected to respect these signs and refrain from carrying firearms into these locations.
Public spaces, too, can have specific restrictions based on local ordinances or the nature of the event taking place. For example, carrying firearms at public demonstrations or in government buildings might be prohibited. Staying informed about these restrictions is essential for responsible firearm carry.
Michigan’s red flag law took effect on February 13, 2024. A family or household member (including a dating partner), a health care or mental health professional, or law enforcement can ask a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order against someone who poses a significant risk to themselves or others. If the order is granted, the person must surrender their firearms to law enforcement or a licensed dealer and cannot buy or possess firearms while it is in effect. An order lasts up to one year and can be renewed, modified or ended. The person can ask the court to end or change it once every six months.
Under a law signed in November 2023, anyone convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence (including against a dating partner) cannot buy, possess or use a firearm or ammunition until they have completed their sentence, paid all fines, and eight years have passed. Federal law also permanently bars people with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions from possessing firearms.
Being a firearm owner in Michigan entails accepting a series of duties designed to safeguard not only the owner and their household but also the wider community. This includes complying with laws on secure firearm storage and grasping the legalities tied to employing a firearm in self-defense.
Recognizing and acting upon these responsibilities is vital for diligent firearm stewardship and for reducing the likelihood of accidental injuries or facing legal issues.
Since February 13, 2024, Michigan’s safe storage law requires anyone who stores or leaves a firearm where a minor (under 18) is or is likely to be present to keep it either in a locked box or container, or unloaded and secured with a properly engaged locking device such as a trigger or cable lock. A gun stored in a vehicle under these rules must be in a locked vehicle, and visitors who bring a firearm into someone else’s home have the same duty.
If a minor gets hold of an improperly stored firearm, the owner can face a misdemeanor, or a felony of up to 5, 10 or 15 years if the minor injures someone, seriously injures someone, or causes a death. There are exceptions, for example when a minor has a parent’s permission, is supervised, or is hunting or taking safety instruction.
Michigan dealers must also include a trigger lock or gun case with every firearm they sell. See our guide on how to store your firearm safely.
Under the Self-Defense Act of 2006, Michigan is a “stand your ground” state. This law empowers you to use deadly force to protect yourself or others from imminent harm without a duty to retreat first. It’s rooted in the Castle Doctrine, which historically granted similar protections within your home (your castle).
The Castle Doctrine reinforces the legal principle that individuals are not obliged to flee from their homes in the face of a criminal act. Essentially, if an intruder enters your home, the law recognizes your right to use lethal force in self-defense without attempting to retreat. The “stand your ground” law extends this principle to any location where the individual is lawfully present.
Criteria for Using Lethal Force in Michigan
The application of lethal force is permissible under specific circumstances aimed at preventing imminent:
This means that lethal force is not justifiably used in response to any illegal act but is reserved for situations where there is a real and immediate threat of serious harm. Home invasions, carjackings, and kidnapping attempts are all presumed to be lethal threats. Unlike states without “stand your ground” laws, Michigan does not require individuals to retreat from threats if they can safely do so, even outside their homes.
While Michigan’s “stand your ground” law offers protection, there are crucial exceptions. You cannot claim self-defense if you’re involved in criminal activity at the moment the threat arises. This is a common-sense rule that ensures the law is used for legitimate defense.
For a “stand your ground” defense to apply in Michigan, these points matter:
Seeking legal advice is paramount, particularly if you’re involved in a situation where you’ve used force in self-defense. A qualified attorney possesses the expertise to guide you through the legal process, advocating on your behalf to ensure that your actions are properly contextualized within the framework of the law.
Their involvement is instrumental in safeguarding your rights, providing counsel on potential legal outcomes, and strategizing the best course of action. They offer clarity and support to assert your lawful defense effectively.
Remember, you cannot use the stand-your-ground law if you are committing a crime. Therefore, if you have obtained a gun illegally and you stand your ground, you may be unsuccessful in your defense and end up being charged for having an illegal firearm.
Laws change, and how they apply depends on your situation. Before you act, confirm current requirements with the Michigan State Police, your local police department or sheriff, or a Michigan attorney. Questions about buying a firearm? Contact ICB Firearms in St. Clair Shores.
