“Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.”
AT A GLANCE
Michigan is a shall-issue state. A permit to purchase, a background check and firearms registration are required to buy a handgun from a private individual. A license to purchase is not required if purchasing from a federal firearms dealer. Open carry is legal in Michigan with several restrictions. The minimum age is 18. Residents can open carry without a permit. Concealed carry is legal for residents with a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) that are at least 21. In terms of reciprocity, Michigan recognizes resident permits from all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Reciprocal Carry
By statute, Michigan will recognize another state’s license to carry if that state has a licensing scheme, which is consistent with Michigan’s.
Duty To Notify Police Officer
When stopped or approached by a LEO, Michigan requires all individuals possessing a firearm to inform the LEO of that fact immediately. This is true for passengers in a vehicle as well. When carrying a concealed firearm, you must have your license/permit with you at all times.
Carrying Firearms In Vehicles
Michigan generally prohibits carrying firearms in vehicles without a permit. Someone without a permit may only carry a firearm in their vehicle if it is unloaded and secured in a locked container in an area of the car that is not readily accessible (such as the trunk).
NFA Items
Michigan permits ownership of all NFA items, provided they are legally obtained pursuant to federal law, but imposes additional state regulations. SBR and SBS with an overall length under 26” are considered pistols in MI, and are subject to the same rules as pistols, including a requirement that they be registered with the state police. Hunting with suppressors is legal.
Self-Defense Laws
Michigan has both Castle Doctrine and SYG laws. There is no duty to retreat from any place You have a legal right to be. You may use force, including deadly force, in defense of yourself or others if You reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death, SBI, rape, or to stop the unlawful & forcible entry into a dwelling or business, or to stop an aggressor from removing another person from a dwelling, business or occupied motor vehicle against their will.
Carry In Restaurants That Serve Alcohol
Michigan has no laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in restaurants that serve alcohol. You can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Places like Fridays or Chili’s unless they have a “No Guns” sign, then it is suggested that You not carry into the establishment. This does not include the bar or bar area of a restaurant. You can carry Your firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol, but You are prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying a firearm.
Do “No Gun Signs” Have The Force Of Law?
“No Firearm” signs in Michigan do not have the force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a permit/license to carry. However, as a possessor with a real property interest, a retailer, has the right to limit, and qualify the right to enter the property, subject to not carrying a handgun. It would be improper to enter, and the licensee would be subject to ejection for possession of a handgun thereat. Failure to leave once requested would subject the licensee to arrest for criminal trespass.
Open Carry
Open carry is legal with restrictions. You must have a valid permit/license to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle in Michigan. For residents of Michigan without a CPL, You must carry a firearm registered to You. For non-residents, if You do not have a permit/license from Your state of residence, concealed and/or open carry is prohibited. Those who open carry without a valid permit/license to carry cannot carry on the property of businesses that sell alcohol and this includes grocery stores that sell alcohol.
DISCLAIMER: The Gun Laws by State Guide (GLBSG) was created to provide its readers with a general educational resource tool to explore the pertinent gun laws in Your jurisdiction.
However, the GLBSG was not researched and/or written by attorneys as a specific legal guide to rely upon. Instead, it is a starting point for your own research. In addition, all laws are always subject to reasonable, but different, legal interpretation as to meaning and application.
As such, the GLBSG is not intended to supplant, nor limit, Your need for independent verification of any and all material contained herein and consultation with competent counsel of choice regarding any specific issues.
This type of specific legal analysis is necessarily beyond the general educational objective of the GLBSG and for which a bar-admitted attorney in the particular state(s) is needed and required. The content of this GLBSG is a general restatement of the law.
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