Michigan issues a pistol permit for the possession of firearms in the state.

As long as you meet the gun laws’ requirements, the licensing unit will approve your permit.

Michigan Gun Permit Summary

Michigan is a shall-issue state for pistol permit with the application processed at the local county level.

The state issues a purchase permit to buy handguns, and every buyer must complete a criminal record background check.

How To Get A Gun Permit In Michigan?

Michigan issues a pistol permit to residents of the state and the military stationed in the state.

The required age for the permit is twenty-one years old.

Michigan Gun Permit Laws

You can open carry without a Michigan pistol permit if you are a resident of the state, at least eighteen years old, you register the firearm in your name, and you do not have prohibitions for the possession of weapons.

Non-residents of the state must have a pistol permit to open carry in Michigan.

It is prohibited to sell, manufacture, or purchase machine guns in Michigan except if you have a federal license to do so, or you are a government official.

Michigan also prohibits armor-piercing ammunition in the state.

Michigan Pistol Permit Requirements

You must meet all requirements for license application provided by Michigan pistol permit laws.

They include the following:

  • You must be at least twenty-one years old.
  • You must complete a Michigan firearm training class.
  • You must be a resident of Michigan and have lived in the state for a minimum of six months.
  • You must have a valid state identification card.
  • You must not be a convict of a felony or any related charges.
  • You must not be legally incapacitated.
  • You must not be mentally unstable.
  • You must not have a court order that prohibits the possession, transportation, sales, purchase, and usage of firearms.
  • You must not be a discharged member of the military.
  • You must not be a convict to any misdemeanor charge in the last eight years before applying for your Michigan pistol permit.
  • You must not be a threat to yourself or another person.
  • You must meet other federal laws required to obtain CCW permits.

Different Types Of Gun Permits In Michigan

A summary of firearms permits issued in Michigan includes the following:

  • State permit to purchase long guns: Michigan does not issue a state permit to buy long guns.
  • State permits to purchase handguns: Michigan issues a state permit to buy guns.
  • State permit to open carry: Michigan is a permissive state for residents, so no license required to open carry. But it is a licensed open carry state for non-residents.
  • State permits to conceal carry long guns: Michigan does not issue a state permit to conceal handguns.
  • State permits to conceal carry handguns: Michigan issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Michigan?

The cost for an initial permit application in Michigan is one hundred dollars, while the renewal permit costs one hundred and fifteen dollars.

Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Michigan?

The process to apply for Michigan gun laws include the following.

Complete A Firearm Training Course

Complete a Michigan pistol safety class that is state-approved.

Download Application

You can either download the permit application online or visit your county’s clerk to pick it up.

Submit The Necessary Documents

Visit your county local clerk’s office and sign the application under oath. Other documents to provide include the following:

  • Your firearm training certificate.
  • Your passport photograph.
  • The required fee.

You will get a receipt after paying.

Take Your Fingerprints

Take your fingerprint at the county clerk desk, your local police office, or the sheriff’s office. You must also provide your pistol application receipt.

Michigan pistol permit renewal process can begin at least six months before the expiration date.

You will receive notification from your county clerk within these six months. You can either renew the application at the local county, via mail or online.

If you are eligible for online renewal, you will receive a notification containing your Pin.

Note that permits holders that do not receive a Pin with their notifications are not eligible for an online permit.

For mail permit renewal, apply together with a check for the required fee to Michigan state police licensing unit.

To renew at your local county, visit the clerk’s office.

Gun Permit Reciprocity With Michigan

Michigan accepts pistol permits from every other jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Other aspects of its reciprocity include the following:

States That Michigan Will Accept Their Pistol Permit

Michigan will accept pistol permits from every other state in the US. Therefore, non-residents can possess firearms in Michigan with a license from their states.

States That Recognizes Michigan Pistol Permit

As a resident of Michigan, you can make use of your firearms in these states. However, you must abide by the gun laws of these states while making use of guns in their territory. The states are:

  • Alabama
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Louisiana
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Puerto Rico

States That Have Restricted Reciprocity With Michigan

In these states, you can use a Michigan pistol permit, but there are specific requirements you must meet according to their gun laws. The states are:

  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina

States That Have Permitless Carry Policy

You can possess firearms in these states without a gun license, and this is because they have a permitless carry policy. These states are constitutional carry states, and they include the following:

  • Arizona
  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • New Hampshire
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia

FAQs About Gun Permits In Michigan

Some of the most frequently asked questions about pistol permit application, renewal, and other important information is Michigan include the following:

Do I Need A Permit To Conceal Carry Firearms In Michigan?

Yes, Michigan issues pistol permits for concealed carry of firearms in the state.

For How Long Is Michigan Pistol Permit Valid?

Michigan pistol permit is valid for approximately five years after application, depending on applicants’ birthday.

Can Non-Residents Apply For Michigan Pistol Permit?

No. Michigan only issues pistol permits to residents and members of the United States Armed Forces posted to the state.

How Can I Change The Name And Address On My Michigan Pistol Permit?

For a change of details such as name and address, contact your county’s clerk office.

What Can I Do If I Lost My Michigan Gun Permit Or It Gets Stolen?

For missing or stolen permits, report immediately to your local police office. After this, obtain a replacement permit at your local county office, the charge is ten dollars.

Other documents you will need include a state-issued driver’s license, your police report, and the necessary fee. The licensing unit will issue a new permit.

How Soon Can I Apply For A Michigan Pistol Permit After Moving To The State?

Michigan will issue you a pistol permit if you live in the state for at least six months. However, the licensing unit will waive the six months’ requirement if you have a pistol permit from your former state of residence.

Can I Make Use Of Michigan Pistol Permit After Moving To Another State In The Country?

As soon as you become a resident of another state, your Michigan pistol permit expires automatically.

Do I Need A Michigan Pistol Permit To Open Carry In The State?

Residents of the state that are eighteen years old or more and without a prohibition to use firearms can open carry in the state.

However, non-residents can only open carry if they have a pistol permit from their state of residence.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement To Apply For Michigan Pistol Permit?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to apply for a Michigan gun license.

Do I need A Permit To Purchase Firearms In Michigan?

Yes, Michigan issues a purchase license to buy firearms, and you must be a resident of the state before you purchase firearms in the state.

Michigan pistol license holders can buy firearms in the state without a permit, but the firearm dealer must provide a sales record to the Michigan state police department.

Does My Firearm Permit Exempt Me From Completing A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Michigan?

No, even with a purchase permit, you must complete a criminal record check before buying firearms in the state.

Do I Need A Michigan Pistol Permit To Possess Firearms In My Private Property?

No. There is no need for any license to possess firearms in one’s home of residence, a privately owned building, or any personal property in the state.

Do I Need To Complete A Firearm Training Before Applying For A Michigan Pistol Permit?

Yes, you must complete a pistol safety training to possess firearms in the state. The training must be a state-approved one with a certified instructor.

What Is The Processing Period For Pistol Permit In Michigan?

The processing period for Michigan pistol permit is forty-five days.

Does Michigan Have Ammunition And Firearm Restrictions?

Yes, the possession of assault weapons like machine guns and semi-automatic firearms is illegal except for licensed individuals, military members, and law enforcement officers of the state.

Is Michigan A Preemption Gun Law State?

The Michigan state government reserves the right to regulate firearms in the state. However, local municipalities can regulate firearms in the following ways:

  • Prohibit the use of firearms within local area boundaries.
  • Regulate the possession, carrying, and transportation of firearms by employees of the local government.

Can I Conceal Carry Firearms While Hunting In Michigan?

Yes, as long as you are a permit holder, you can conceal carry firearms while hunting in the state. But it is illegal to use such guns to take wildlife.

What Is The Age Requirement For Firearm Possession In Michigan?

You must be at least eighteen years old before you can possess a firearm in Michigan.

Relevant Gun Permit Laws And Legislature In Michigan

Some of the gun laws and legislature in Michigan that concerns pistol license include the following:

Possession Of Firearms In private Vehicles

According to the gun statutes, [Mich. Penal Code §§ 750.227(2) and 750.231a(1)(a)], the possession of handguns in a private vehicle is only legal for those that have Michigan gun licenses.

If you do not have a permit, you can only possess a firearm with the conditions that the gun must be unloaded, locked away in its case either in the trunk of the vehicle or any other hidden part, and not accessible to passengers.

Possession Of Firearms In Road Side Areas

It is not a prohibition to possess firearms in roadside areas of the state.

Possession Of Firearms In State Parks, Forests, And Wildlife Management Areas

Michigan gun statute, [Mich. Comp. Laws § 324.504(8)] do not prohibit the possession of firearms in state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas.

Possession Of Firearms In Restaurants And Bars

You can possess firearms in a restaurant area of a venture that sells alcohol only if you have a Michigan pistol license.

The only exception to this is if there is a post restricting the possession of firearms within the premises and if you are under the influence of alcohol.

Note that Michigan gun law defines under the influence of alcohol as a blood alcohol concentration level of more than 0.02.

Possession of firearms is illegal in bars.

[Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425k]

[Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425o(d)]

Possession Of Firearms In Hotel

Michigan gun laws do not have any statute regulating possession of firearms in private properties like hotels.

Every hotel in the state can regulate the possession of firearms on their premises as they deem fit. Hotels can come up with regulations and develop laws to control firearms.

For more information about any hotel privacy policy relating to firearms, visit its website.

Additional Resources

Michigan Gun Laws
Michigan Concealed Carry Laws
Michigan Open Carry Laws

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