Michigan Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Michigan have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Michigan does not currently ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. As of 2023, background checks are required for all firearm sales, including private transfers. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. All dealer sales must go through a federal NICS check. |
| Is Michigan a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Michigan has a Stand Your Ground law with no duty to retreat in places you legally occupy. |
| What kind of restrictions does Michigan have? |
|
| Does Michigan have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. Firearms must be securely stored if minors are likely to access them (effective March 2024). |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Michigan? | ✅ Yes. There are no state-level bulk purchase limits. |
| Does Michigan have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Michigan enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law in 2023. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Michigan? | ✅ Yes, handguns must be registered with local law enforcement. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. A purchase permit or CPL is required for private handgun sales. |
| Does Michigan have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No formal waiting period, but purchase permits and background checks may cause short delays. |
🚫 No. Michigan does not currently ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.
✅ Yes. As of 2023, background checks are required for all firearm sales, including private transfers.
✅ Yes. All dealer sales must go through a federal NICS check.
✅ Yes. Michigan has a Stand Your Ground law with no duty to retreat in places you legally occupy.
- ℹ️ Universal background checks (effective 2023)
- ℹ️ Safe storage law in homes with minors (2024)
- ℹ️ Permit required to carry concealed or purchase pistols from private sellers
✅ Yes. Firearms must be securely stored if minors are likely to access them (effective March 2024).
✅ Yes. There are no state-level bulk purchase limits.
✅ Yes. Michigan enacted an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law in 2023.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
✅ Yes, handguns must be registered with local law enforcement.
✅ Yes. A purchase permit or CPL is required for private handgun sales.
🚫 No formal waiting period, but purchase permits and background checks may cause short delays.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Michigan allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal for individuals 18+ without a license, but subject to restrictions in pistol-free zones and private property. |
| Does Michigan allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal with a Concealed Pistol License (CPL), available to residents 21+ who meet training and background check requirements. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are legal with some restrictions (e.g., size limits for pepper spray). |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ With a valid CPL, concealed carry is allowed in most public areas unless specifically restricted. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, daycare centers, stadiums, bars (without owner consent), churches (unless permitted), hospitals, and college dorms/classrooms. |
| States honored? | ✅ Michigan honors permits from states that recognize Michigan’s CPL and meet certain standards. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Michigan’s CPL is recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 4 - 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. The CPL covers handguns only, not other weapons. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Required for concealed carry. CPLs require training, fingerprinting, and approval from the county clerk.
|
✅ Legal for individuals 18+ without a license, but subject to restrictions in pistol-free zones and private property.
✅ Legal with a Concealed Pistol License (CPL), available to residents 21+ who meet training and background check requirements.
✅ Legal. Pepper spray and stun guns are legal with some restrictions (e.g., size limits for pepper spray).
✅ With a valid CPL, concealed carry is allowed in most public areas unless specifically restricted.
🚫 Schools, daycare centers, stadiums, bars (without owner consent), churches (unless permitted), hospitals, and college dorms/classrooms.
✅ Michigan honors permits from states that recognize Michigan’s CPL and meet certain standards.
✅ Michigan’s CPL is recognized in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 4 - 5 Years.
🚫 No. The CPL covers handguns only, not other weapons.
ℹ️ Required for concealed carry. CPLs require training, fingerprinting, and approval from the county clerk.
- A Michigan CPL is valid for a period of not less than 4 years or more than 5 years from the date of issuance or renewal, expiring on the applicant's date of birth.
- a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) is issued by the county clerk's office in the applicant's county of residence.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Michigan Leadership
- Born: August 23, 1971 (Lansing, MI)
- Term Started: January 1, 2019
- Previous Role: Michigan State Senate
- Born: April 29, 1950 (Gladwin, MI)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2001
- Committees:
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry (Chair)
- Energy and Natural Resources
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Born: December 1, 1958 (Pontiac, MI)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2015
- Committees:
- Armed Services
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs