Michigan Firearm Laws: Ownership, Permits, Carry Rules, and Penalties
Michigan firearm laws cover more than the right to own a gun. They set rules for purchases, pistol records, concealed and open carry, safe storage, and possession by people with certain criminal convictions. Requirements can also differ under federal law. Knowing the basic rules—and checking current state guidance before buying or carrying—can help gun owners avoid serious legal consequences.
How Michigan Regulates Firearm Ownership
Michigan does not require a general firearm owner’s license or a state-issued firearm identification card. However, that does not mean every person may possess every firearm. State and federal laws prohibit possession in certain circumstances, including for some people with felony convictions and people subject to qualifying domestic-violence restrictions or court orders.
Michigan’s firearm statutes are found primarily in the Michigan Compiled Laws. Relevant provisions include MCL 28.422 on pistol purchase licenses and records, MCL 28.425o on concealed-pistol restricted premises, and MCL 28.429 on safe storage around minors.
Federal requirements apply alongside state law. For example, federal law restricts certain firearm sales by licensed dealers based on age, and it bars firearm possession by specified categories of people. A transaction allowed under one set of rules may still be prohibited under the other.
Buying A Firearm In Michigan
Background Checks And Private Sales
Michigan requires background checks for most firearm purchases and transfers, including many private sales. Since February 13, 2026, state law has generally required a background check for firearm transfers, subject to statutory exceptions. Licensed dealers conduct checks through the applicable state and federal systems. A private seller should confirm that a transfer is lawful and that the buyer is not prohibited from possessing the firearm.
Some transfers may qualify for exceptions, such as certain transfers between close family members, temporary transfers, or transfers involving inheritance. The exceptions are specific; they should not be assumed to cover every gift or informal loan. Michigan State Police publishes current information about firearm laws and purchase procedures on its firearms and concealed pistol licensing pages.
Long Guns And Pistols Have Different Rules
For a rifle or shotgun, Michigan generally does not require a separate state purchase license. Background-check rules still apply. Federal law generally sets the minimum age for a licensed dealer sale at 18 for rifles and shotguns, while state law and the type of transaction can affect other circumstances.
Handgun purchases have additional Michigan requirements. A person who does not hold a valid Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) generally needs a license to purchase a pistol before acquiring one. The license is obtained through the local law enforcement agency or sheriff’s office, depending on the applicant’s residence. A valid Michigan CPL generally exempts its holder from the separate pistol purchase license requirement, but it does not waive background-check or other legal restrictions.
Federal law generally prohibits licensed dealers from selling handguns to people under 21. Private transfers may be governed by different age rules, but both state and federal restrictions must be considered. A person should not rely on a broad age summary when a particular transfer involves a minor or an out-of-state party.
Pistol Purchase Licenses And Registration Records
Michigan uses a pistol purchase license and record process rather than a universal state permit for every firearm. Under MCL 28.422, a buyer who is not exempt generally applies before purchasing a pistol. The application process can include eligibility checks and a background investigation. Local procedures and appointment requirements may vary, so applicants should contact their local law enforcement agency.
Michigan also requires reporting of many pistol acquisitions. After a pistol is purchased or otherwise acquired, the buyer generally must complete and submit the required pistol sales record within 10 days. The form is commonly called the RI-060. CPL holders and certain other exempt purchasers still have reporting obligations; an exemption from the purchase license is not necessarily an exemption from the record requirement.
Michigan’s system is not a general registration requirement for every rifle or shotgun. The pistol record requirement is distinct. Buyers should keep transaction paperwork and follow the current instructions on the official form, including how to submit copies to the relevant agencies.
Carrying A Firearm: Open Carry And Concealed Carry
Open Carry
Open carry of a firearm is generally lawful in Michigan for a person who may legally possess it, subject to restrictions on location, conduct, and transportation. “Generally lawful” is not the same as “permitted everywhere.” A business or property owner may set rules for firearms on private property, and other laws may apply in public buildings, schools, or vehicles.
Local rules can also affect how state law operates, but Michigan generally preempts local regulation of firearms in areas covered by state law. Conduct that causes alarm, involves threats, or violates another law can still result in police contact or criminal charges even if open carry itself is not prohibited in that location.
Concealed Pistol Licenses
A Michigan CPL is generally required to carry a concealed pistol in public. Applicants typically must be at least 21, meet state and federal eligibility requirements, complete approved training, and apply through the county clerk. The county clerk’s office can explain application steps, fees, fingerprinting, and documentation. A CPL is not permission to possess a firearm if the holder becomes legally disqualified.
A Michigan CPL may also affect reciprocity when traveling, but recognition varies by state and can change. Before crossing state lines with a firearm, travelers should verify the destination state’s rules for permits, vehicle carry, magazine restrictions, and prohibited locations. Federal law on interstate transportation has its own conditions and does not override every state restriction.
Where Firearms Are Restricted
Michigan law restricts concealed pistols in certain premises, including specified areas such as schools, child-care centers, sports arenas, bars, places of worship, hospitals, and casinos, subject to statutory details and exceptions. The exact rules depend on the location, the person’s licensing status, and the type of premises. The list in MCL 28.425o should be checked directly rather than relying on a simplified summary.
Separate laws restrict firearms in school zones and other designated places. Federal law generally prohibits possessing a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone, with exceptions that may include possession on private property not part of school grounds, certain unloaded firearms in locked containers, and possession under a qualifying state-issued license. Michigan has additional school-property rules. These overlapping laws make it important to distinguish the school building, school grounds, and the surrounding zone.
Property owners and employers may impose their own firearm policies where legally permitted. A person with a CPL should not assume that a license overrides a posted restriction, a private-property rule, or a separate state or federal prohibition.
Vehicle Transport And Firearm Storage
Vehicle rules depend on whether the firearm is a pistol or a long gun, whether it is concealed, whether the person has a CPL, and whether the person is traveling to a lawful activity. Michigan law has specific restrictions on carrying a pistol in a vehicle without a CPL. A person without a CPL generally must meet statutory requirements for lawful transport, including rules about how the pistol is carried and the purpose of the trip. Unloaded, cased transport is often relevant, but the details matter.
For long guns, state law also regulates possession and transport in vehicles, including restrictions related to loaded firearms. Hunters must consider additional hunting and wildlife regulations. A firearm should be secured so it cannot be accessed unlawfully, and travelers should check rules before entering another state or federal property.
Michigan’s safe-storage law requires a firearm to be secured when the owner knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to be present on the premises. The law generally calls for a locking device or locked container, with statutory exceptions, including certain supervised access situations. A locked firearm is not only a legal safeguard; it can reduce the risk of accidental injury, theft, or unauthorized use.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Michigan’s Extreme Risk Protection Order law, often called a red flag law, took effect in 2026. It allows eligible petitioners to ask a court to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms when the legal standard is met. A judge reviews the evidence and may issue an order requiring the person to surrender firearms and prohibiting purchase or possession for the order’s duration.
An order is a court process, not an automatic consequence of a report or disagreement. The respondent has legal rights, including procedures to challenge an order and seek a hearing. Anyone served with an order should read it carefully, comply with its terms, and obtain legal advice promptly. Violating an order or retaining firearms contrary to it can lead to further legal consequences.
Who May Be Prohibited From Possessing Firearms
Michigan and federal law bar firearm possession for various categories of people. These can include people with certain felony convictions, people subject to qualifying domestic-violence protective orders, and people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence under federal law. Other restrictions may apply based on immigration status, fugitivity, unlawful controlled-substance use, or specific court findings.
Michigan’s firearm disability statute, MCL 750.224f, addresses firearm possession by people with felony convictions and provides restoration rules in certain situations. The applicable waiting period and restoration conditions depend on the conviction and sentence. A person should not assume that a completed sentence automatically restores firearm rights.
Federal and state prohibitions can differ, and a state restoration may not resolve a federal disability. Before buying, possessing, or handling a firearm after a conviction, protective order, or other potentially disqualifying event, a person should seek advice from an attorney familiar with both Michigan and federal law.
Penalties For Violating Michigan Firearm Laws
Penalties vary considerably by offense and circumstances. Unlawful possession by a prohibited person can be a felony, with potential imprisonment and fines. Carrying a concealed pistol without the required license, carrying in a prohibited location, failing to follow applicable transport rules, or violating a court order can also carry criminal penalties. Some violations may lead to license suspension or loss of firearm rights.
Potential consequences extend beyond a sentence. A conviction can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, immigration status, and eligibility to possess firearms in the future. A firearm may also be seized as evidence or forfeited under applicable law. The charge and penalty depend on the exact statute, the person’s record, the firearm involved, and the surrounding facts.
| Issue | General Michigan rule | Important caution |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a pistol | Purchase license generally required unless the buyer qualifies for an exemption, such as holding a valid Michigan CPL. | Background checks and pistol record reporting may still apply. |
| Buying a rifle or shotgun | No general state purchase license is typically required. | Background-check, age, and federal dealer rules still apply. |
| Concealed pistol carry | A Michigan CPL is generally required. | Restricted-premises and federal rules remain in force. |
| Safe storage around minors | Firearms must be secured when a minor is likely to be present, subject to statutory exceptions. | Review MCL 28.429 for the exact standard and exceptions. |
How To Check Current Michigan Firearm Requirements
Firearm laws can change, and local agency procedures may differ. For current information, consult the Michigan Legislature’s official statutes, Michigan State Police guidance, and the relevant county clerk or local law enforcement agency. The Michigan State Police firearms information is a useful starting point for CPL applications and related questions.
Before a purchase or transfer, confirm whether the transaction requires a background check, pistol purchase license, or sales record. Before carrying, verify the rules for the specific location and method of carry. Before transporting a firearm, check vehicle and destination-state requirements. For a potentially disqualifying conviction or court order, individualized legal advice is safer than relying on a general online summary.