Firearms & Open Carry Facts

In Michigan, it is legal for a person to carry a firearm in public as long as the person is carrying the firearm with lawful intent and the firearm is not concealed.

No Law to prohibit:  There is no law that makes it legal; it is the absence of a law to prohibit open carry that makes it lawful.

Open carry is restricted from:  Banks & Credit Unions, Churches, Courts, Theaters, Sports Arenas, Day Care Centers, Hospitals and any place licensed under the Liquor Control Commission.

In a Car:  There is NO OPEN CARRY in a motor vehicle, this is a crime.

Transporting a Firearm:  Transportation for a lawful purpose: Hunting, repair, moving, for inspection by law enforcement, gun show for sale, practice shooting range, private property practice.  Must be unloaded, in a closed case designed for firearms, in the trunk or if no trunk not readily accessible to vehicle occupants, UNLESS YOU POSSESSS A CPL.

Brandishing Firearms: Careless handling, waving the pistol around, aiming or pointing at things or acting in an aggressive or threatening manner while armed may be considered Brandishing which is a misdemeanor.  A person when carrying a handgun in a holster in plain view, and not mis-handling or waving or displaying the firearm in a threatening manner does not constitute brandishing.

CPL Concealed Pistol License:  A CPL holder is not required by law to carry a pistol concealed.  A CPL holder may open carry a firearm, visible in the above restricted open carry places unless specifically restricted by the CPL law.

CPL Holder restricted from:  A School building except a parent dropping off or picking up a child and the pistol is kept in the vehicle, Public or private day care center, Sports arena or stadium, A bar or tavern where sale and consumption of liquor by glass, Property owned or operated by a Church, Entertainment facility seating capacity over 2,500, Hospital, Dormitory or classroom of a college, in a gambling casino.