First off, there's no such thing as the "Gun show loophole." That's a lie the anti's spread to try to prohibit the private sale of personal property from seller to buyer. The goal is to confuse the issue so that they can ban all private sales and require all firearms sales to go through a FFL dealer.
Here's the deal in Michigan:
To buy a rifle or shotgun you need to either buy from a private seller from his personal collection or from a dealer. If it's from a dealer, he'll have you fill out the 4473 form and will call the NICS line to do the "instant" background check on you before completing the sale. If it's from a private seller, just pay him and take the gun.
To buy a handgun you need to have either a "Permit to Purchase" OR a valid "Michigan Concealed Pistol License" AND a "RI-60 Pistol Sales Record" form.
If you are buying from a private seller, you need to fill out the purchase permit or RI-60 as normal and then take the pistol back to the police department within 10 days for the mandatory "safety inspection" (registration.)
If you are buying from a dealer, you still need the purchase permit or the RI-60 (if you have a CPL) and he'll also have you fill out the 4473 and run the NICS check on you. You'll then need to take the pistol in for the safety inspection within 10 days.
Either way, if you don't have a CPL, get a "Permit to Purchase" from your local PD before you head to the gunshow or you won't be able to buy a pistol at the show.
