How to Purchase a Gun in Michigan

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An updated and current guide on acquiring a weapon in the Great Lake State

Co-authored by Francisco Pham and Eric McClure

Last Updated: July 31, 2024 Fact Checked

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Buying a Gun from a Private Seller

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Buying a Gun from a Dealer

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

The procedure for buying a firearm in Michigan used to depend on whether you wanted to buy a handgun or a long gun. Now, the only difference is whether you’re buying a gun from a dealer or a private seller. We’ll break down the purchasing process so that you can know what to expect when you go to buy your firearm.

Purchasing a Gun in Michigan

If you’re buying through a licensed dealer, you do not need a purchase permit. Simply go to the dealer, pick out your gun, and complete a federal background check. For private sales, visit a police department first to get the permit and complete your background check. In either case, return the receipt from the sale to any local police department within 10 days of purchase.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Buying a Gun from a Private Seller

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1
Meet the basic requirements. You must be 21 years old or older to buy a pistol in Michigan. For long guns, you only need to be 18. Beyond that, you cannot be a felon. So long as you check both of those boxes, you’ll be able to buy a pistol.^{[1]
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- Only Michigan residents may purchase a pistol in Michigan unless you have a CPL (concealed pistol license) or a license to purchase, carry, or transport a weapon from another state.^{[2]
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  State of Michigan
  Official website for the State of Michigan
  
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- You only have to be 18 to buy a long gun in Michigan. Long guns refer to rifles, carbines, and shotguns. Since these weapons are less likely to be used in the commission of a crime, the legal restrictions aren’t as intense.
- As of 2023, the purchasing process for handguns and long guns is identical (outside of the different age requirements).^{[3]
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Get a permit from your local police department (if you don’t have a CPL). If you are purchasing a gun from a friend, online private seller, or at gun show, you must get a purchase permit. This is also called a license to purchase, or an LTP. Stop by your local police department and tell them you want to buy a gun from a private seller. They’ll fill out the permit for you.^{[4]
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- Do you have a CPL? If you are a CPL holder and you’re purchasing privately, all you need is to fill out an RI-60 and drop it off at your local police department.
- There are other organizations that can grant purchase permits, but it’ll be fastest and easiest to just go to your local police department.
- If you’re in a rural area with no local PD, go to the sheriff’s office.
- Bring valid identification with you. You must present police with a current ID that shows your photograph.
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Pass the background check at the police precinct. Once you fill out the permit at your local police department, they’ll run a background check. It's not super invasive—they're mainly checking to see if you've got a criminal history, a “red flag” marker, or any restraining orders to your name.^{[5]
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- Michigan no longer requires the Basic Pistol Safety Questionnaire for handgun buyers, just for the record.
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Collect your approved purchase permit at the police station. You can usually get the permit the day you apply (unless there’s a delay for some reason). The police can only deny the permit if you've been convicted of a felony, you have a “red flag” on your background check, or you have displayed a history of violent or mentally unstable behavior.^{[6]
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- You'll also receive a sales record (PSR) in triplicate. One will be for you, one will be for the police, and one will be for your seller. Don't lose these!
- Some police stations will charge a $5-10 filing fee for this service.
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Use the purchase permit and PSR to buy the weapon in Michigan. The permit is valid for 30 days, but you need to fill it out within 10 days of purchase. When you are buying your gun, have the forms with you to fill out.^{[7]
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- Make sure that you and your gun dealer sign the permit and PSR. Do this when you buy the firearm. The dealer will retain a copy of each.
  - Keep a copy of the signed purchase permit and PSR for your records.
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Return one copy of the PSR and the permit to your local police agency. They will then enter your information into their database.^{[8]
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- Firearms Records Unit
  Michigan State Police
  PO Box 30634
  Lansing, MI
  48909-0634

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Buying a Gun from a Dealer

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1
Go to the gun shop and complete a federal background check. You do not need any preapproval or permits to purchase a gun from a licensed dealer in Michigan. So long as you meet the requirements of being 21 (or 18 for a long gun) and having a felony-free record, you’re good to go. Visit the gun shop of your choice, pick out your weapon, and complete the background check at the shop.^{[9]
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State of Michigan
Official website for the State of Michigan

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- Licensed dealers are known as FFLs. It’s short for Federal Firearm License.
- This process used to be slightly more difficult, but Michigan has streamlined the buying process if you’re working with an FFL.
The purchase record (PSR) is basically a triplicate receipt. You and the dealer will this out together. Once you purchase the weapon, they’ll hand you two copies of the PSR. Do not lose these!^{[10]
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Drop off a copy of the PSR at a police department within 10 days. It is your responsibility to turn in the PSR that proves you bought a gun. At any point in the next week and a half, go to any police or sheriff department and hand in one of the two copies of the PSR.^{[11]
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- Submitting your copy of the PSR is always free.
- If you forget to drop a copy of your PSR off, do it ASAP! You may be issued a $250 ticket, but they may not follow up with you. If you never turn the copy in, you could end up in hot water for carrying an illegal weapon.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Why do I need to get a concealed carry license in Michigan?

Francisco Pham
Firearms Instructor
Francisco Pham is a Firearms Instructor and the owner of Apex Pistol Training based in Maryland. Francisco has over 16 years of professional experience in competition shooting and firearms training. He is a highly skilled NRA-recommended firearm instructor and is an expert on firearm safety, usage, and maintenance.

Francisco Pham

Firearms Instructor

Expert Answer

You need a concealed pistol license (CPL) in Michigan to legally carry a concealed firearm. The CPL allows individuals to carry concealed handguns in various locations, with some exceptions, such as schools and certain government buildings. To obtain a CPL in Michigan, you must meet specific eligibility requirements, including being at least 21 years old, completing a firearms safety training course, and passing a background check. Once issued, the CPL is valid for up to five years. It's important to note that carrying a concealed firearm without a CPL in Michigan is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences.

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Can a felon get a concealed carry weapon permit?

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In the United States, a convicted felon may be able to get the permit, but he must first go through a lot of red tape.

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When moving to Michigan, how would I register firearms that I already own?

Community Answer

Go to your local police department and obtain the proper paperwork. Do not bring the firearm with you, rather have the serial number with you.

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Tips

You don't need a purchase permit if you already have a Michigan license to carry a concealed pistol. You only need to get the Pistol Sales Record, which you can get online at the Michigan State Police website at www.michigan.gov/msp.

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You no longer have to return your handgun to the police for a safety inspection.

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Remember to have valid identification/ID card available, such as a driver's license or state ID card (shows and validates your age via DOB/date of birth on either ID card).

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