Is It Legal or Illegal to Openly Carry A Pistol In Michigan?

Is it legal or illegal to openly carry a pistol in the state of Michigan without a Concealed Pistol License?

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Hunting Guns

I've hunted a lifetime in the state of Michigan and have hauled several shotguns, a muzzleloader, and a rifle in my car or truck to go hunting on state, federal, and private land. I never needed a permit to carry those guns but they were also in a case, unloaded and separated from the ammo, and were not in plain view of other drivers since they were either in the trunk of the car or behind the seat of the truck.

I have never owned a pistol but I do remember when I was a kid, my dad took me to the gun range and we shot an old pearl-handled pistol that my dad got from my grandfather. Again, this gun was in a case, separated from the ammo, and I know my dad doesn't have a CPL. If you want to learn about Michigan laws regarding transporting hunting firearms, crossbows, and bows and arrows click here.

Can You Openly Carry a Pistol In Michigan?

As I mentioned earlier, I don't own a pistol. I have never felt the need to carry a gun for protection. That being said, I was wondering if it was legal or illegal to openly carry a gun in the state of Michigan.

Well, I looked it up and it turns out that it is legal to carry a firearm without a CPL because there is no Michigan law that prohibits it. Like in the picture above, which is illegal, Michigan law limits the premises on which a person may carry a firearm.

What Is the Michigan Law on Carrying Without a CPL?

The firearms law of the state of Michigan MCL 28.422 states:

Except as otherwise provided in this act, a person shall not purchase, carry, possess, or transport a pistol in this state without first having obtained a license for the pistol as prescribed in this section."

This license that the above is referring to is the "License to Purchase a Pistol", also known as the "Purchase Permit."

So it boils down to this, a person without a CPL may legally open carry a pistol as long as they are 18 years of age and lawfully purchased said pistol with a "Purchase Permit." You just cannot conceal the pistol or be in possession of a firearm that belongs to someone other than yourself.

I highly recommend you go to the next step of acquiring your CPL. Here is where you find all the information on getting your CPL in Kent County.