Firearm ownership carries with it a responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of others and yourself when handling firearms.  Accident prevention is the user's responsibility.

Eligibility to purchase

How to purchase

Gun registration hours

Obtaining a handgun via an estate

Carrying Concealed pistols

Carrying Concealed pistol law that went into effective July 1, 2001

Am I eligible to purchase a handgun?

If you have never been convicted of a felony, you have no court orders that state you can not purchase a firearm, if you have no criminal cases pending against you or old cases without a court disposition and you must be 21 years old or 18 if you are purchasing from a private individual.

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How to purchase a handgun

First pickup a purchase permit at the Sheriff Department.  You will need a valid Michigan Drivers License or Michigan ID and be a resident of Livingston County (We limit your purchase to three permits per visit).  You will be issued a permit that is good for ten (10) days to purchase your handgun and then ten (10) days to return to the Sheriff Department with the handgun for the safety inspection.  Your gun must be in a gun case (lockable type preferred), and unloaded. Do not forget to bring the magazine for automatics.   

When you come in you will take a fifteen question test.  All the information you needed to pass this test can be found in the Basic Pistol Safety Pamphlet that you will be provided when you pick up your permit.

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Hours of operation

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Weapons obtained through estates

If you obtained a handgun form the estate of a family member you need to bring the handgun into the Sheriff Department (Unloaded and in a case) with a certified copy of the death certificate.  We will then re-register the handgun in your name.   

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Concealed Pistol License

A license to Carry Concealed Pistols is generally required for transporting a pistol, loaded or unloaded, in a motor vehicle or on your person.

Without a Concealed Pistols License you are limited to transporting a pistol unloaded, in a wrapper or container, in the trunk of a vehicle only under the following circumstances:

1. en route to or from a hunting or target shooting area, provided you are in possession of a valid Michigan hunting license or a membership in a organization that has target shooting range facilities.

2. transportation from the place of purchase, to your home, or place of business, or place of repair.

3. in moving goods from one place of abode or business to another place of abode or business.

4. to your local police agency, within 10 days of purchase, to obtain a Safety Inspection Certificate (registration)

If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the pistol may be transported in the passenger compartment for the above purposes (1-4), provided it is unloaded, in a wrapper or container, and not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle.

Note - Full-time  Michigan peace officers are not required to obtain a Concealed Pistols License.  Retired police officers who retired "in good standing" are exempt from the firearm training requirements.

When hunting with a pistol, the pistol must be carried in a holster or belt, in plain view, on the outside of your clothing, unless you have a Concealed Pistol License.  Carrying a pistol while hunting at any time during Bow season is NOT ALLOWED.

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Carrying Concealed Pistols (Effective July 1, 2001)

This link will take you to the Michigan State Police web site that has complete information on the CCW law that went into effect July 1, 2001.  To return to this page press back on your browser.