Isabella Carter
As of 2025, there have been several attempts to pass a constitutional carry bill in Michigan. In 2022, State Rep. Beau LaFave proposed a package of bills that would eliminate the requirement for Michiganders to obtain a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). The bill passed through the MVHS Committee and moved to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration. In 2023, Michigan State Representative Angela Rigas introduced a similar constitutional carry bill, which she predicted would not pass the legislature. In 2025, Michigan Republican Reps. Jack Bergman, Bill Huizenga, and John Moolenaar cosponsored the bipartisan Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting state codes. The act has been criticized by gun safety advocates, who argue that it could weaken and repeal important gun safety measures, leading to more guns in public and increased gun violence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status of Constitutional Carry in Michigan | Open carry of a handgun is permitted for Michigan residents aged 18+ if the gun is registered in their name. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state to conceal or open carry. |
| Recent developments | In 2023, Michigan State Representative Angela Rigas introduced a Constitutional Carry bill that would allow people aged 21 and over to carry handguns without a permit. However, Rigas herself stated that the bill is unlikely to pass the legislature. |
| Supporters of the bill | Angela Rigas, Rep. Beau LaFave, Rep. Richard Hudson, Gun Owners of America |
| Opponents of the bill | Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence |
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What You'll Learn
Michigan's CPL requirements
As of 2022, Michigan has allowed the open carry of handguns without a permit for residents aged 18 and over, provided the gun is registered to its owner. A permit is, however, required to carry in a vehicle. Michigan also offers both resident and non-resident licenses.
To obtain a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL), an individual must complete a firearms training course that has been state-approved, with a minimum of eight hours of instruction, including three hours of range time. Michigan law also requires license applicants to present evidence of having received pistol safety training from an instructor certified by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). This training must be within five years of the date of application and must include safe storage, use, and handling of a pistol, including to protect a child, and ammunition knowledge.
Some areas are off-limits to concealed carry, including schools and hospitals. Michigan Compiled Laws Section 28.432a includes a list of individuals who are exempt from requiring a CPL, including specific peace officers and members of the military in the line of duty.
In April 2022, a bill package was approved by the House committee on Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security to eliminate the requirement for Michiganders to obtain a CPL. This bill was proposed by State Rep. Beau LaFave, who argued that "every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state."
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The right to bear arms
In Michigan, the right to bear arms is protected under Article 1, Section 6 of the state constitution, which states that "every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defence of himself and the state". While this provision secures the right of individuals to bear arms, it is not without restrictions. The Michigan Supreme Court and other appellate courts have held that this right is subject to the reasonable exercise of the state's police power. For example, in 2014, the Court of Appeals of Michigan ruled that a conviction for "possession of a firearm while intoxicated" did not violate the state's right to bear arms, acknowledging that the right is not universal and that there are constitutionally valid regulations on gun possession.
Michigan has introduced several gun control measures, including background checks for firearm purchases, training requirements, and prohibiting individuals with felony convictions or those deemed a danger to themselves or others from possessing firearms. In 2023, the state passed an Extreme Risk law and a secure storage law, bringing the total number of foundational gun safety laws in the state to four out of five. Additionally, Michigan is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that residents must complete a pistol training course, submit their fingerprints, and pay a fee to obtain a concealed pistol license.
Despite these regulations, there are ongoing efforts to further restrict gun ownership in Michigan. Anti-gun legislators are working to pass additional legislation, and in 2024, two anti-gun bill packages were awaiting the governor's signature. On the other hand, Senate Republicans have introduced constitutional carry legislation that would allow law-abiding adults to carry firearms, concealed or in the open, without a license. This proposal aims to recognise and restore what they believe are the constitutional rights of Michiganders.
The debate surrounding the right to bear arms in Michigan and the United States as a whole is complex and multifaceted. While some advocate for stricter gun control measures to enhance public safety, others argue that such regulations infringe upon their constitutional rights. The challenge lies in balancing the protection of individual liberties with the need to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
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Gun safety laws
As of February 13, 2024, Michigan implemented new gun safety laws to protect families, particularly children, from the tragedies of gun violence and unintentional firearm injuries. These laws include:
- A secure storage law, Public Act 17 of 2023, requiring individuals to keep unattended weapons unloaded, locked with a locking device, or stored in a locked container if it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present.
- An updated background check law, requiring purchasing licenses and background checks for all firearm purchases, to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms.
- An extreme risk protection order (ERPO) law, effective February 13, 2024, allowing judges to issue orders to temporarily restrict individuals deemed to be a risk to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms.
- A domestic violence misdemeanor firearm possession ban, preventing anyone convicted of misdemeanor or felony domestic violence from obtaining a firearm to protect victims.
Additionally, Michigan has a "stand your ground" law, which means a person may use deadly force with no duty to retreat if they have a legal right to be somewhere. This law provides immunity from civil liability for those who use a gun legitimately in self-defence.
To promote gun safety, Michigan offers free gun safety kits and gun trigger locks in 230 cities across the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is also working with the Michigan State Police to distribute gun locks and raise awareness about safe firearm storage.
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The 'stand your ground' law
Michigan's stand-your-ground law is an extension of the Castle Doctrine, which allows individuals to use force to defend themselves or others if they feel threatened, without the obligation to retreat first. This law applies to both non-lethal and lethal force, with the latter only being permissible when an individual feels that they or another person are at risk of imminent death or great bodily harm.
Michigan's stand-your-ground law permits the use of lethal force in situations where one would otherwise have had to attempt an escape if it were safe to do so. For example, if someone is threatening to kill you and has a gun in their hand, you are not required to try to escape before using lethal force in self-defence. However, the stand-your-ground law cannot be used as a defence if you are committing a crime, such as possessing a gun illegally. In such cases, you may be charged for the crime you committed, despite acting in self-defence.
The stand-your-ground law also applies to non-deadly force, where you are generally only allowed to use the degree of force that is required to protect yourself or someone else. This means that you should consider using non-deadly force before resorting to lethal force.
To successfully use the stand-your-ground defence in court, the defendant must prove three things. Firstly, they must show that they felt that deadly force was the only way to defend themselves or another person against the threat. Secondly, they must demonstrate that they believed lethal force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Lastly, they must be somewhere they are legally allowed to be and not be engaged in any criminal activity at the time of the incident.
In Michigan, open carry is legal for residents aged 18 and over, provided they can legally possess and have registered a firearm. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state to carry openly or concealed. Recent legislative proposals have aimed to eliminate the requirement for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) in Michigan.
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The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
In 2022, Michigan State Rep. Beau LaFave proposed a bill to eliminate the requirement for Michiganders to obtain a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). The bill package was approved 5-4, but it is unclear if it was signed into law. As of 2024, Michigan offers resident and non-resident licenses, and open carry is legal for residents aged 18 or older, provided the gun is registered to its owner. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state to open or conceal carry.
The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is a response to the concerns of many Americans who feel their Second Amendment rights are being undermined when they travel to other states with more restrictive gun laws. The bill's proponents argue that constitutional rights should not be limited by state lines. This act will protect the rights of legal gun owners to conceal carry and move freely between states without worrying about conflicting state regulations or civil suits.
As of January 2025, Representatives Mann and Hudson reintroduced the bill in the 119th Congress as H.R.38. The text of the bill has not been received yet, but it is expected to be sent to the Library of Congress soon. This bill, if passed, would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to provide a means for non-residents to carry concealed firearms in a state that allows its residents to do so. It is unclear if this bill will be signed into law, but it is a significant step towards nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and residents of constitutional carry states.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitutional Carry Law allows US citizens aged 18 and older to carry a firearm without a permit.
As of 2023, Michigan has introduced a bill to implement the Constitutional Carry Law, but it is not expected to pass the legislature.
Proponents of the law argue that it empowers citizens to defend themselves and that it is a common-sense legislation that should have bipartisan support.
Opponents of the law argue that it will increase gun violence and give citizens more opportunities to use a gun for purposes other than self-defense.
Michigan law requires adults who wish to carry a concealed pistol in public to complete safety training and obtain a state license.
