State profile · MI
Michigan Concealed Carry Laws & Reciprocity
A Michigan resident permit (Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)) is honored in 37 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 1 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Michigan recognizes permits from every state, but only when the holder is a resident of the issuing state. Michigan is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Michigan recognizes.
Michigan concealed carry reciprocity map
Where a Michigan resident permit is valid. Each state links to the rules for that trip.
- Permit honored
- Honored + permitless carry
- Permitless carry only
- Not honored
- Confirm case-by-case
- Michigan
Which states honor a Michigan CPL? (37)
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Where a Michigan permit is not honored (13)
Permitless carry still applies (1): South Carolina
No lawful carry on this permit (12): California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island
Where a Michigan permit is honored, state by state
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Michigan honors
Michigan recognizes permits from every state, but only when the permit holder is a resident of the state that issued it.
MSP: 'If you are a resident of another state who is licensed by that state to carry a concealed pistol, Michigan will recognize your permit,' subject to any license restrictions and Michigan carry law. Statutory basis MCL 750.231a(1)(a): the license must be 'issued by his or her state of residence' — a non-resident permit (e.g. a Utah non-resident permit held by a Florida resident) is NOT valid.
Michigan at a glance
- Permit
- Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL)
- Issued by
- County clerk
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Not issued
- Permitless carry
- No
- Duty to inform
- Yes
- Magazine limit
- None
Can you carry in Michigan without a permit?
Michigan is not a permitless-carry state: concealed carry there requires a permit Michigan recognizes.
No permitless carry. Michigan requires a CPL (or a recognized out-of-state resident license) to carry a concealed pistol.
Is Michigan an open carry state?
Yes. Michigan allows open carry of a handgun without a permit from age 18 for people who may legally possess one.
No Michigan law bans openly carrying a lawfully owned pistol, but you cannot open carry inside a vehicle — a pistol in a car without a concealed pistol license (or recognized out-of-state license) is treated as concealed. Without a license, more places are off-limits, including schools, banks, churches, courts, theaters, sports arenas, day care centers and hospitals.
How to get a Michigan concealed carry permit
- Minimum age
- 21
- Fee
- $100 (new, resident)
- Training
- A pistol safety course taken within the last five years with at least 8 hours of instruction, including at least 3 hours on a firing range and firing at least 30 rounds.
- Valid for
- 5 years
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue (must be granted if you qualify)
The license expires on your birthday four to five years after issue; if no decision comes within 45 days of fingerprinting, your fee receipt works as a temporary license.
Does Michigan issue non-resident permits?
No. Michigan does not issue carry permits to non-residents. Michigan residents only: applicant must have resided in Michigan for at least 6 months (waivable for emergency licenses and for new residents who hold a valid CPL from another state); active-duty military with Michigan as home of record, or permanently stationed in Michigan, count as residents.
Do you have to tell police you are carrying in Michigan?
Michigan imposes a duty to inform: you must tell an officer you are carrying. MCL 28.425f(3): a licensee carrying a concealed pistol who is stopped by a peace officer must immediately disclose that they are carrying a pistol concealed on their person or in the vehicle; violations are civil infractions with fines and license suspension/revocation.
Carrying in a vehicle in Michigan
A CPL or a recognized out-of-state resident license allows a loaded concealed pistol in a vehicle; without one, pistols must be transported unloaded in a closed case designed for firearms in the trunk (MCL 750.231a(1)(d)).
Where you can't carry in Michigan
- Schools and school property, except a parent/guardian in a vehicle while dropping off or picking up (MCL 28.425o)
- Public or private day care centers and child caring agencies
- Sports arenas, stadiums and entertainment facilities seating 2,500+
- Bars (taverns whose primary income is on-premises alcohol sales)
- Places of worship, unless the presiding official allows
- Hospitals, casinos, and college/university dormitories or classrooms
Editor's verification notes
michigan.gov and legislature.mi.gov block automated fetchers; MSP pages were read via Wayback Machine snapshots of the cited URLs (reciprocity 2026-06-07, CPL requirements 2026-04-13, prohibited premises 2026-01-19, MCL 750.231a 2025) and MCL 28.425f via search excerpts of the legislature page. Prohibited-premises 'premises' excludes parking areas. Courtrooms/court spaces are weapon-free under Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2001-1.
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Michigan carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Michigan recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- MSP: 'If you are a resident of another state who is licensed by that state to carry a concealed pistol, Michigan will recognize your permit,' subject to any license restrictions and Michigan carry law. Statutory basis MCL 750.231a(1)(a): the license must be 'issued by his or her state of residence' — a non-resident permit (e.g. a Utah non-resident permit held by a Florida resident) is NOT valid.
Official sources
- Michigan State Police — Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol License Requirements — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Prohibited Premises (MCL 28.425o) — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 750.231a — exceptions incl. license issued by state of residence; vehicle transport — accessed 2026-08-08
- MCL 28.425f — duty to disclose to peace officer — accessed 2026-08-08
- Michigan State Police — Concealed Pistol Application and Instructions — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425j — Pistol training or safety program requirements — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 28.425l — License validity, duration and renewal — accessed 2026-09-27
- MCL 750.234f — Possession of firearm by person under 18 — accessed 2026-09-27
- Michigan Attorney General — Informational letter to Rep. Chatfield on open carry of firearms (Feb. 1, 2018) — accessed 2026-09-27