If there is one thing that we can all agree on is that gun laws in Michigan are confusing. Here is just a taste of it: schools are designed as a weapons-free zone by state law so, evidently, guns are prohibited. Well, not so fast because according to the law, those with a license that allows them to carry a concealed weapon can enter the school with a gun. But wait, there is more! According to the concealed carry law, carrying concealed weapons into a school is strictly forbidden. And, it goes like that for quite a while.
It all sounds like a line from Catch-22, but it’s reality. There are exceptions to exceptions and gun laws that contradict other laws and by the end of it, you are left with a massive headache and no answer to your question: who can carry a weapon in Michigan and what do I need to
know?
In this article, we will try to make some sense of the confusing Michigan gun laws so that you don’t make a mistake and end up having to look for a lawyer to prove you weren’t actually at fault. Let’s start with the straightforward facts about gun ownership in Michigan and then let’s
move to the confusing part.
Who Can Own and Carry a Gun In Michigan?
Before anything, let’s first define the word “firearm”; According to the law, a firearm is any weapon that can shoot a projectile by the action of an explosive. Michigan’s Attorney General ruled that by this definition, a taser is a firearm too. A pistol is loaded or unloaded weapon of 26
inches or less in length while a long arm is a weapon that is longer than 26 inches.
You need to be at least 18 to be able to purchase a pistol from a private seller in Michigan. If you want a firearm from a federally licensed dealer (FFL) then you need to wait until you turn 21. You don’t need to purchase a license to buy a long gun. However, you do need to be at least 18 of age and not have any restrictions based on your criminal record, mental health history, and
other disqualifying factors.
What Are Gun Laws For Visitors?
If you are a non-resident, then you must be licensed by the state you live in to carry, purchase or transport a concealed gun. Otherwise, non-residents can’t possess a pistol while in Michigan.
Can I Borrow Guns?
You can borrow a gun from another person if you have a concealed pistol license (CPL) but only under certain conditions, according to the law. You can carry, transport or use another person’s pistol only if that individual is licensed to do it.
Is Open Carry Legal In Michigan?
Well, it is a bit tricky. The short answer is yes, it is legal to open-carry in Michigan as long as you don’t have any malicious intent and the gun is not concealed. No law says it is legal to open carry a firearm, but there isn’t one that prohibits it either. However, owners must respect some limits regarding the premises where carrying a weapon is allowed. Here are some examples:
● The school and school property unless you are in a car or dropping off or picking up your kid;
● A restaurant or bar whose main income source is the sale of alcohol by the glass;
● Private or public daycares or child caring or placing agencies;
● A stadium or open arena;
● An entertainment facility that has a capacity of 2.500 seats or higher;
● A casino;
● A hospital;
All these premises are prohibited unless you have a CPL, in which case you can enter either of these places. Moreover, the state law doesn’t mention if the holder should carry his weapon concealed.
Who Can Carry a CPL According To Gun Laws In Michigan:
Here are some of the requirements to get a concealed pistol license in Michigan:
● You must be at least 21;
● You have to be a US citizen or a legal immigrant;
● You must be a Michigan resident for at least 6 months;
● You must have a clean record – no criminal charges, no mental illness history, and so on;
● You must pass a safety training course;
● You will have to pay $115 to get the license.
One more thing that you need to know is that once you get your CPL, you don’t need a license to purchase, but you still need to register your pistol.
Where Gun Laws Get Complicated
By now, you’ve probably noticed some glitches in the law. For instance, there are premises that are prohibited unless you carry a CPL. But, the CPL law forbids concealed weapons. However, it doesn’t forbid people with CPL from carrying a pistol in open sights. So, although the law says that guns are prohibited in schools, the law also allows CPL owners to carry a gun on their hip in a school as long as the pistol is in open sight. At the same time, schools can make their own rules and can decide to ban anyone carrying a gun. So, although the law allows you to carry a pistol in a school, the institution can ask you to leave. If you refuse, they can press charges for trespassing.
The law is full of inconsistencies that make it difficult for owners to understand when and where they can carry their guns. It seems as if someone has pulled different locations from a hat and added them to the list without any logic whatsoever. You can carry a weapon on campus but not a campus building. You can enter the state Capitol with one, but not a courtroom. And the list goes on for a while.
Michigan's Gun Season
Michigan’s Gun Season starts in mid-November. This is the time when it is legal in this state to use a firearm to hunt for deer in Michigan. Hunting season is good for Michigan’s economy. It also brings about an increase in arrests related to firearms. Besides the increase in firearm arrests, it also brings an increase in DNR violations. The Criminal Defense Law Center of West Michigan during Michigan’s Gun Season gets calls on charges such as improper transport of a firearm, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, felony firearm possession and crimes related to hunting during this time of year.
If you are arrested for breaking a hunting law in any West Michigan court, you need to call Shawn now at 616-438-6719 to make sure your rights are protected. Shawn will give you a free consultation over the phone. Shawn also has the skills and knowledge you need to protect your rights when it comes to Michigan’s firearms laws.
Michigan’s Gun Season also means hunters will be having a few cold ones at their deer camp. Because of this, there can be issues with drunk driving, assaults, and disorderly conduct. Shawn can help you handle these charges as well.