Michigan is a shall-issue state. Licenses are issued at the local level by county clerks.
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 a handgun from a federal firearms dealer. Only residents are allowed to purchase handguns, though non-residents are allowed to purchase long guns.
Open carry is legal in Michigan with several restrictions. The minimum age is 18 years old. Residents can open carry without a permit if the gun is registered in their name. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state in order 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 with a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) and for individuals who have CCW licenses/permits issued by their home state. 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. CPLs are issued to residents only, with exceptions for active duty military stationed in Michigan as well as active duty military stationed outside of Michigan, if Michigan is the applicant’s home of record. Some areas are off-limits, including schools and hospitals. In terms of reciprocity, Michigan recognizes resident permits from all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Michigan is a Castle Doctrine state and has a “stand your ground” law. A person may use deadly force, with no duty to retreat, if the individual has an honest and reasonable belief that such force is necessary to prevent the imminent death, great bodily harm or sexual assault to that person or to another individual. Any person who uses a gun legitimately in self-defense has immunity from civil liability.
Michigan Gun Laws at a Glance
Open Carry/ Concealed Carry Basics
Constitutional Carry?Does Michigan allow constitutional carry? |
No. Michigan does not recognize constitutional carry. |
Open Carry Permitted?Is open carry permitted in Michigan? |
Yes, without a permit for residents. 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. |
Gun Permit Licensure?If Michigan requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued? |
Michigan is a shall-issue state. |
Minimum Age for Concealed Carry?What is the minimum age in Michigan to get a concealed carry permit? |
The minimum age to carry concealed in Michigan is 21. |
Weapons Other Than Handguns Allowed?Can you concealed carry weapons other than handguns in Michigan with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)? |
No. Permit holders may only concealed carry handguns. |
Tasers or Stun Guns?Is it legal to own a taser or stun gun in Michigan? |
Yes. A concealed carry permit is required to purchase or possess a stun gun or Taser . Permittees may have and use a stun gun or Taser in a reasonable way, as long as:
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. |
Non-Resident Permitting?Does Michigan issue concealed carry permits to non-residents? |
Yes, only to active-duty military. 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. |
Public Access to Concealed Carry Registry?Does Michigan allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law? |
No, however the information is available for law enforcement. |
Carry Locations
Carry in Vehicle?Can you carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle in Michigan? |
Yes, handguns only may be carried with a valid concealed pistol license. Without a permit, handguns must be unloaded and either enclosed in a case, inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle or carried in the trunk. |
Carry at Roadside Rest Areas?Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Michigan? |
Yes. You may concealed carry at roadside rest areas in Michigan. |
Carry in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)?Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Michigan? |
Yes. You may carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Michigan. |
Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol?Can you carry a firearm in restaurants that serve alcohol in Michigan? |
Yes, with a valid concealed carry permit, but not if posted and provided you’re not under the influence (blood alcohol level >0.02). |
Store in a Vehicle in an Employee Parking Lot?Does Michigan have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot? |
Not addressed in Michigan state law. |
Additional Related State Laws
Must Notify Officer You’re Carrying?Are you required to notify a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Michigan? |
Yes. You have a duty to disclose that you are carrying a concealed handgun upon contact with law enforcement. [Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425f(3)] |
Magazine Limits for Handguns?Does Michigan have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns? |
No. Michigan law does not restrict magazine capacity in handguns. |
Ammunition Restrictions?Does Michigan have ammunition restrictions? |
Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. |
“No Weapons Allowed” Signs Enforced?Are “No Weapons Allowed” signs enforced in Michigan? 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. |
Preemption?Does Michigan have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)? |
Yes. The authority to regulate firearms is reserved to the state, except local municipalities may:
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Red Flag Law?Does Michigan have a red flag law? |
No. Michigan has no laws pertaining to Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). |
Carry while using alcohol or prescription medication in Michigan?Does Michigan have laws regarding carrying a firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication? |
Yes, but not while under the influence in Michigan. 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. |
Handgun Purchase & Possession
Purchase Permits?Is a permit required to purchase a handgun in Michigan? |
Only Michigan residents may purchase pistols in Michigan. No purchase permit is required for purchases from a Class 1 FFL Dealer. You current To purchase a pistol, the buyer must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of Michigan, possess a clean criminal background, and be mentally stable. Within 10 days of delivery, one copy of the RI-060 form must be provided to the local police authorities. Non-Michigan concealed carry permit holders must obtain a permit for purchase from a private seller. Michigan CPL holders do not need a permit, but they must complete a pistol sales record for submission to the Michigan State Police. |
Background Checks for Private Gun Sales?Are background checks required for private gun sales in Michigan? |
Yes. A person acquiring a handgun must have either a handgun purchase license or a license to carry a concealed handgun. A background check is required to obtain either of these licenses. |
Waiting Period?Is there a waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Michigan? |
No. Michigan has no waiting period for the purchase of a handgun. |
Handgun Registration?Do handguns need to be registered in Michigan? |
Some handgun sales require registration with local law enforcement. There are several exceptions including, but not limited to, police and U.S. citizens holding a concealed carry permit from another state. |
Minimum Age to Possess and Transport?What is the minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Michigan? |
18 years old. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), 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.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual less than 18 years of age who possesses a firearm in accordance with part 401 (wildlife conservation) of the natural resources and environmental protection act, Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.40101 to 324.40119 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or part 435 (hunting and fishing licensing) of Act No. 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.43501 to 324.43561 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. However, an individual less than 18 years of age may possess a firearm without a hunting license while at, or going to or from, a recognized target range or trap or skeet shooting ground if, while going to or from the range or ground, the firearm is enclosed and securely fastened in a case or locked in the trunk of a motor vehicle.
(3) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $100.00, or both.
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