What is a Michigan Gun Bill of Sale?

A Michigan gun bill of sale honors an arrangement between two (2) state residents. It lists the plan for how the buyer wishes to receive the firearm and the amount they are willing to pay. Similarly, it provides insight into how the seller wants to give up ownership of the weapon and the amount of money they wish to receive. As both parties work through the document, they establish a framework of the sale for others to reference. They should also retain copies for themselves if they need to look back on the deal for specific information.

How to Apply for Concealed Pistol License (CPL)

County clerks give residents concealed pistol licenses (CPL) in Michigan. Interested parties must visit a clerk’s office or use the online system to obtain an application kit that includes instructions, an application (Form RI-012), and a list of certified firearm safety training courses. Applicants must sign under oath of the county clerk or their representative.

A CPL does not exempt an individual from a federal background check. License holders still have to undergo criminal records screening when buying a handgun. In addition, they must obtain a permit to purchase it.

The license allows a resident to carry concealed in areas that would otherwise be prohibited. However, under no circumstances can a person carry in the following places: school property, public or private child care centers, a sports arena or stadium, bars, church facilities, large entertainment areas (seating 2,500 people or more), hospitals, university dorms, college classrooms, or casinos (§ 28.425o).

Step 1 – Qualifications

A person interested in obtaining a CPL must review the qualifications before applying. This step prevents the individual from paying a non-returnable fee and the office from using its resources.

The applicant must be:

• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older;
• A citizen of the U.S. (or an alien allowed to be in the states); and
• A legal resident of Michigan or lived in the state for at least six months (see “State Requirements” on application).

The applicant must not:

• Have been hospitalized for mental reasons;
• Be legally incapacitated;
• Have federal restrictions on possessing, selling, or buying firearms;
• Have felony charges, legal issues, or dishonorable discharge from U.S. armed forces; or
• Fall under the “disqualifiers” section listed on the CPL application.

Step 2 – Pistol Safety Training Course

Before applying for a license, the applicant must pass a pistol safety training course approved by the state. Residents can contact their county clerk to obtain a list or refer to the Michigan State Police (MSP) website.

Step 3 – Apply

Residents must file CPL applications with their county clerk at their office. They can request a packet of information in person or bring in the printed, completed online forms.

The applicant must also provide a photograph of passport qualify if the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) does not have one in their records. It costs $100 for application and licensing, although the county clerk can request additional fees if they wish to do so.

Step 4 – Fingerprinting

After submitting the required paperwork, the applicant must have their fingerprints taken. An authorized technician takes the prints and sends a receipt to the MSP for further evaluation.

The receipt must contain the applicant’s name and driver’s license number, the date and time of the printing, the payment amount, and the name of the person or entity who took the prints.

State law requires that it includes a statement about licensures (§ 28.425b). Applicants who do not receive their permit within forty-five (45) days of the submission can use the receipt instead. However, this is only intended for temporary use as they must use the permit once it comes in the mail. Individuals using the receipt as a permit must also present their driver’s license or state ID card.

Next, the MSP reviews the application, certification, fingerprints, and other relevant documentation as soon as they receive the prints. It takes about forty-five (45) days for processing. If approved, the applicant obtains a license by mail. However, if the state denies their proposal, they receive a notice of statutory disqualification.

Step 5 – Renew

The license terminates on the holder’s fourth or fifth birthday following issuance. County clerks notify the individual three (3) to six (6) months before expiration. Residents can renew up to six (6) months before it expires and up to one (1) year after. If they do not meet this deadline, they must apply as a new applicant, which requires them to retake the training course and fingerprints.

Renewals do not require fingerprints as the MSP maintains them. However, it instructs the license holder to confirm they have engaged in three (3) hours of pistol safety training review and one (1) hour of firing range time in the six (6) months before the application.

The applicant must pay $115 to the county clerk and other mandated fees. If needed, the receipt can be a valid CPL until the owner receives the new one or a notice of statutory disqualification. They must present the receipt with the expired license to prove their eligibility to carry a concealed weapon.

How to Obtain a Handgun Purchase Permit

Michigan requires residents to obtain a purchase permit before buying a handgun. While the process differs slightly between counties, the general process remains the same.

Before the sale, private buyers must go to a local law enforcement agency and present their driver’s license or state I.D. The seller must check that the person purchasing the gun has a valid permit prior to transferring ownership. After buying the handgun, the buyer is responsible for bringing a copy of the license to the MSP no more than ten (10) days later. The staff sends the document to the sheriff’s office for it to stay on file.

Licensed dealer sales do not require a permit. Instead, they mandate a background check on the purchaser and charge $5 for the notary’s services.

While CPL holders do not need a purchase permit, they must submit a pistol sales record (Form RI-60) to the MSP within ten (10) days of the sale. The buyer, seller, and MSP office must keep a copy of the completed form.