Using firearms and other weapons is legal in Michigan.

However, there are still restrictions on the types of firearms and weapons you can use in the state.

To open carry or possess a firearm in Michigan, you need to understand the state gun laws and their applications.

Michigan Gun Law Summary

Michigan issues concealed carry licenses, with applications processed at the local county level.

The state has a shall-issue policy for permit application, as long as you meet all requirements to do so.

To buy firearms in Michigan, you can use either the concealed carry license or a firearm purchase license.

With a firearm purchase license, you will not have to undergo the criminal record background check, which is one of the requirements for buying a firearm.

You must be at least twenty-one years old, and a resident or a military member posted to Michigan before you apply for the concealed carry permit.

Non-residents who wish to use firearms in Michigan must have a license from their state.

Is Open Carry Legal In Michigan?

Yes. You can open carry in Michigan as long as you are eighteen years old and do not have any state or federal prohibition to possess firearms.

You also do not need a permit to open carry in the state, except if you are a non-resident.

Open Carry Laws In Michigan

Michigan is a permissive open carry state, and you do not need a license to open carry.

The state also has preemption gun laws, but local areas can still regulate open carry and possession of firearms.

In Michigan the possession of machine guns, short barreled rifles and short barreled shotguns, AOW’s and sound suppressors are legal, provided they are federally registered on an approved federal form, and the $200 tax is paid.

Michigan Open Gun Law Quick View

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Michigan?

In Michigan, you can open carry in the following areas.

• Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in the eatery area of restaurants and bars, except there is a post prohibiting this or you are under the influence of alcohol.
• Roadside areas: You can open carry in roadside areas of Michigan.
• State forests and parks: You can possess firearms and open carry in forests and parks in the state as well as wildlife management areas.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Michigan?

Michigan prohibits the possession and open carry of firearms in the following parts of the state.

• Schools: You cannot possess your firearm in either publicly owned or private schools in the state. These include preteen schools and vehicles used by the schools for transportation.
• Child care centers: You cannot open carry in any child care or daycare center, either publicly owned or privately owned.
• Colleges and universities: You cannot open carry in campuses, dormitories and lecture rooms of universities and colleges in Michigan.
• Stadium: You cannot possess a firearm or open carry in any stadium or arena used for professional sporting activity in the state.
• Ventures that sell alcohol: You cannot possess a firearm in any bar or place where the sale of alcohol is a primary source of income.
• Places of worship: You cannot open carry or possess your firearm in any church, mosque, or synagogue in the state.
• Event centers: You cannot possess a firearm or open carry in any event facility that has a holding capacity of more than two thousand five hundred people.
• Hospitals: You cannot open carry in hospitals or any health care center in the state.
• Airports: You cannot possess firearms or open carry in secured zones of airports in the state.
• Casinos: You cannot open carry in any casino that has a state license to operate.
• Courthouse: You cannot open carry within the premises of a courthouse, or a courtroom during regular proceedings.
• Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in any area prohibited by federal gun laws.

FAQs About Open Carry Michigan

Some of the most frequently asked question about open carry in Michigan includes the following:

Do I Need A Permit For Open Carry In Michigan?

No. Michigan does not issue permits to residents for open carry in the state.

However, non-residents must have a permit before they open carry.

Must I Apply For A Permit Before I Conceal Carry In Michigan?

Yes. You can only conceal carry in Michigan if you have a concealed carry license.

What Is The Age Requirement For Open Carry In Michigan?

You must be at least eighteen years old to open carry in Michigan.

What Is The Age Requirement For Concealed Carry In Michigan?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to conceal carry in Michigan, except members of the military who can conceal carry from eighteen years old upwards.

At What Age Can I Apply For Michigan Concealed Carry License?

The minimum age requirement to apply for a concealed carry license in Michigan is twenty-one years old.

Does Michigan Have A Red Flag Law?

No. Michigan gun statutes do not enforce a restriction or protection order in the state.

Is Michigan Concealed Carry License Available For Non-residents Of The State?

No. Only non-residents that are members of the United States Armed Forces can apply for Michigan concealed carry license.

Is Michigan A Constitutional Carry State?

No. Michigan gun laws do not recognize constitutional carry in the state.

Does Michigan Permit Open Carry Of Other Weapons?

Michigan permits only open carry for knives in the state. However, there are a lot of restrictions on this.

The state allows automatic knives and out the front knives.

Other dangerous weapons like a stiletto, double-edged dagger, dirks are highly prohibited.

However, you can make use of hunting knives or any knife used as such. But you cannot carry them in a vehicle.

It is also unlawful to possess a razor or knife that is longer than three inches to commit a crime with it.

There are also location restrictions for open carry for knives in the state.

Does Michigan Have Firearm Restrictions For Open Carry In The State?

Yes. Assault weapons like machine guns and semi-automatic firearms are illegal in the state.

Must I Apply For A Purchase Permit Before Buying Firearms In Michigan?

Yes. You must either have a concealed carry license or a firearm purchase license before you buy guns in Michigan.

Must I Undergo A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Michigan?

Yes. Every buyer must undergo the NICS criminal record check before completing the purchase of a firearm.

However, those who have a firearm purchase license, prior, may not have to undergo the background check.

When Will Michigan Concealed Carry License Expire?

The license is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal license.

Do I Have A Duty To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About My Possession Of Firearms In Michigan?

Yes, you are under obligation to notify a law enforcement officer that you are in possession of a firearm upon coming in contact with one.

Does Michigan Have Castle Doctrine Rule?

Yes, the state has a stand your ground policy when attacked by an intruder, as long as you are in a place where you have legal rights to be.

Can I Make Use Of Deadly Force While Exercising Castle Doctrine In Michigan?

Michigan law allows the use of deadly force if a person honestly believes that an attack might lead to severe bodily harm or imminent death.

The state will provide immunity from civil liability for the use of a firearm during self-defense.

Must I Complete A Firearm Training Before Apply for Concealed Carry In Michigan?

Yes, you must complete a firearm training licensed by the Michigan Commission for Law Enforcement Standard and conducted by a certified trainer.

Must I Register Firearm After Purchase In Michigan?

Yes, handguns in Michigan require registration after purchase. There are exceptions like a purchase made by a law enforcement officer in the state.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Michigan

Here are some of Michigan gun statutes related to open carry in the state.

Ammunition Restrictions

Michigan gun law prohibits the use of armor piercing ammunition in the state. Hence, anybody found with such will face prosecution.

Preemption Laws

Michigan preempts gun laws in the state, and the state has authority over the regulation of firearms.

However, local areas can:

• Ban the shooting of firearms or any type of gun within its territory in districts or cities.
• Prohibit and restrict conduct while handling a firearm according to Michigan criminal offense statues.
• Prohibit the transportation and possession of various types of firearms carried by employees in a local area while carrying out their duties.

Brandishing Of Firearms

Michigan gun statutes prohibit the illegal brandishing of firearms in the state.

Nobody shall deliberately point or don a firearm in a dangerous manner to cause apprehensions.

The only exception to this law is when brandishing a firearm lawfully or during self-defense.

Possession Under The Influence Of Alcohol

You cannot open carry while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other controlled substance in Michigan.

Under the influence, according to this law, is when the blood alcohol concentration is more than 0.02.

Under the influence also means that the person’s ability to accurately judge a situation or handle a gun according to state statutes has been affected by the consumption of alcohol or controlled substances.

Open Carry While Hunting

Open carry is legal for hunting activities in Michigan.

However, while bow hunting, you can only conceal carry. You are also not permitted to use firearms for hunting.

Michigan has hunter harassments laws, and they include the following:

• Nobody shall interfere with hunting activities in the state if the necessary authority lawfully licenses it.
• Nobody shall pursue or disturb animals in wildlife or fishes in an aquatic habitat to prevent a legal hunting activity.
• Nobody shall harass or disturb a hunter who is carrying out a legal taking of animals in wildlife or aquatic bodies.
• Nobody shall make use of any form of stimuli or device that has an effect on fishes in the water or animals in wildlife in such a way that it will prevent or make a hunting activity difficult.
• Nobody shall restrict the movement of animals in wildlife or fishes in the water by erecting a barrier to prevent hunting activity; this does not include a barrier constructed to avoid trespassing in the state.
• Nobody shall put himself or herself in line with live fire to prevent a lawful hunting activity in wildlife.
• Nobody shall affect the condition or settings of a wildlife property such that it affects the legal taking of animals in the wild or fishes in the water.
• Nobody shall trespass on private or public land and water to take part in a hunting activity without seeking permission from the owner or the adequate authority.

Additional Resources

Michigan Gun Laws
Michigan Concealed Carry Laws
Michigan Gun Permit Laws