Laws & Reciprocity Resources.

The Basics.

If you read the Michigan an Open Carry State section, you will note that these laws apply to those without a CPL whom wish to carry a firearm openly in Michigan. 750.234d

As a CPL holder, the locations listed as "Concealed Free Zones" are found under 28.425o

One of the most important laws pertaining to CPL holders is Preemption (123.1102) which in a nutshell states that local units of Government cannot restrict the ownership or the carry of firearms and ammunition. This means that with the exception of buildings with jails or court rooms, Governments cannot restrict your carry! There is an exemption (123.1103) that allows restriction on those employed by local units of Government.

It is important for you to know the laws as they pertain to concealed carry. Of course, instructors, police officers and even judges who should know the laws, don't always. You may hear things like having a CPL requires you to carry your firearm concealed which is simply not true. As a matter of fact with the "Concealed Free Zones" found under 28.425o and the fact that 750.234d does not pertaining to CPL holders, there is a growing opinion that suggest you can open carry in places found under 28.425o. However, we say opinion when it isn't perfectly clear and thus can be a legal gray area that even Judges don't understand. This has been evident in a recent case. However, MSP Legal Update #86 can give you an idea of what information has been passed down to law enforcement. We will always advise you consult with an attorney before making decisions that could ultimately cause you to become a test case for these gray areas as confusion from police officers, prosecutors and judges can be costly, to you.

Signage.

Michigan doesn't presently have a signage law on the books like other states that do. What this means is that there is no law pertaining to the placement or requirements of signs preventing those with firearms from entering private businesses. It is highly recommend that CPL holders do not support anti-2a establishments, but as to what happens if you cross a sign posted on a door with a firearm is a question for the lawyers and is yet another gray area that hasn't been tested.

For instance, the Self Defense Act 780.972 states -

(1) An individual who has not or is not engaged in the commission of a crime at the time he or she uses deadly force may use deadly force against another individual anywhere he or she has the legal right to be with no duty to retreat if either of the following applies:

The gray area in this matter has to do with the fact that we just simply do not know if someone crosses a sign and whether or not that is considered automatic trespass (a crime) or if you have the legal right to be in that location. Some argue it does, some argue it doesn't, again it is best not to become a test case.

Reciprocity.

Along with having a CPL comes the ability to carry in many other CPL friendly states. As a matter of fact, Michigan has one of the highest level of reciprocity amongst the states simply impart to our requirements and our AGs efforts. You will have to adhere to state laws that you are carrying into as they relate to the places you can carry, how you can carry etc..

Check the maps at this link for states that honor Michigan CPLs

This link is another good resource for CPL laws pertaining to each state in PDF form.

You can find more information under CPL Holder Resources as it relates to traveling with firearms.

School Zones.

28.425o establishes that you can carry on school grounds while dropping off or picking up your child. However, yet exists another gray area for those who carry out of state and those who carry into our state because the federal law which gives Michigan CPL holders this right has a very specific clause to do so - 

if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;

*You can search for all of some of the text above here to find the reference.

As you can see the federal law only seems to allow those in their home state, with a home state issued CPL the ability to carry on school property. The untested gray area involves reciprocity, so that as an example if your brother from AZ comes to Michigan and for whatever reason is tasked with picking up your children at their school and is carrying a firearm, he wasn't issued his CPL by Michigan, so what is the legal recourse here? Does reciprocity act as if the CPL was granted by MI rather than AZ? Best not to find out in court!

Federal Property.

Do not carry on the property of Federal Buildings! That means when you are going to the post office, leave your firearm at home. You can read more about this here.