MI - List of Municipalities Violating Purchase Permit Law

[Barbara]

Since we're stuck with registration for the near future, we want to be sure the local units of government are complying with the law as far as purchase permits and registrations/safety inspection.

In summary:

Local departments may NOT charge for permits. They may charge up to the statutory limit of $10 to notarize a permit but they may not require you to have it done by them. The permit itself must be issued at no charge.

Permits must be issued during any hours a department conducts any other normal business.

There is no limit on the number of permits that a person can obtain at one time.

There is no local waiting period allowed. A permit must be issued on your initial visit.

A local PD may not collect information beyond that required in statute.

Departments are allowed, in fact required to keep a file or database of all registered pistols and their owners.

The last AG letter on this is here: http://www.firearmsalliance.org/AGLetter7-17-06.pdf

We're trying to compile a list of those who arent following the law. So far we have dozens but the more the better..please post here or email me at [email protected] with any information you have.

Thank you!

 

[answerguy]

FWIW- Bay County appears to be ok. I have a CPL so I don't need to get a permit to purchase first but no extra charges are tacked on when I register my handgun purchases. No hassles either.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Since we're stuck with registration for the near future...

That's one of the main reasons I didn't even consider returning to Michigan when I left the People's Republic of California in 2002. Firearms registration is nothing but confiscation on the installment plan. Making people pay for firearms registration adds insult atop injury.

 

[Barbara]

Wow, no one is having any problems..kind of surprising.

 

[thumbody]

No problems in Sanilac County for me. 3 handguns in the last 4 yrs. 1st one with no CHL last 2 with.
For the 1st I walked in,asked for a purchase permit and left with 1 in about 5-10 minutes.
The only inconvenience was with the registration(safety inspection) for the 2nd one.The Sheriffs office closes at 4:00 and I got there at 4:15 believing they would be open until 5:00. So I had to make a second trip. Friendly courteous treatment every time.

 

[SCI]

Dearborn limits any gun biz to wed. and friday afternoons ,and requires you to buy the notary service from them for 5 dollars


steve

 

[Thin Black Line]

Departments are allowed, in fact required to keep a file or database of all registered pistols and their owners.

Barbara, I thought MI didn't have "registration" just a list of completed "Safety Inspections".....
I wonder when that concept goes nationwide.

 

[enfield]

Westland has restricted hours, but no charge or waiting period.

 

[Declaration Day]

Unless picking up the gun and looking at it qualifies as a "Safety inspection", it's nothing other than registration.

I have a CPL so I don't need to get purchase permits, but my city (Redford, in Wayne County) only allows gun registration on Tuesday and Friday, within a fairly narrow time limit.

I asked them about this and they claimed that it was a budget issue for the city. I'm inclined to believe that, though it's nice to know that as soon as money gets tight they scale back "unnecessary" services like assisting citizens in exercising their second amendment rights.

 

[erik the bold]

The gals at the Genesee county sheriff's office are bright, capable, efficient, and a hoot to deal with. Their banter with their 'customers' has most people in stitches.

 

[starshooter231]

Mecosta County Sheriff

Is absolutely wonderful. Permits available M-F, ?am-5pm. No charge for permit or notary. And both women that work the counter are friendly and helpful, which is great to see as a "customer".

As for my city I have no idea. I live outside the city limits so I don't have to deal with them. TTL.

 

[Barbara]

Yep, Redford and Dearborn are on the list.

Inkster, River Rouge and Roseville are the worst offenders so far.

But the problem really is very widespread. Some departments impose mandatory waiting periods or offer very limited hours..one department, no kidding, charges $25.00 for a permit. Crazy.

 

[glockamolee]

I had the honor of paying the $25.00 for a permit from Roseville years ago. Other Macomb County Cities are more enlightened.

 

[Gray Peterson]

The various departments have a lot of issues

Not just with compliance with state law on safety inspections, but also with open carry. Michigan is an open carry state, but treatment on the issue of open carry by the various departments variate with the different departments, and different officers.

 

[Clipper]

Yeah, the Genesee county Sheriff's department is first-rate. The sheriff ( and the ladies working in registration) supports RKBA and is a very down to earth guy.

 

[Barbara]

Michigan law doesn't allow or disallow open carry..it doesn't speak to it in any way.

 

[parmamoon]

Michigan law doesn't allow or disallow open carry..it doesn't speak to it in any way.

Since legal and illegal are by definition mutually exclusive, can we then infer that in the absense of a law prohibiting an act such act would be permitted under the law?


.

 

[Barbara]

Yes and no..you can't strictly be arrested for open carry..but you could be arrested for brandishing or disturbing the peace..since there's no law at all, preemption doesn't really affect how its treated, if that makes sense (which it doesn't but then again, neither do most gun laws, eh?)

 

[parmamoon]

if that makes sense (which it doesn't but then again, neither do most gun laws, eh?)

Nuff said!


While I relize that AG opinions are not law, I do take some comfort in the opinion of our Democrat then AG / now Governor, AG opinion #7101.

The specific question of brandishing as open carry by a reserve police officer was answered in such a way that it precludes open carry by most of us from prosecution under the brandishing statute.

But a lawyer I am not! And a test case I do not wish to be!



http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/firearms.pdf#search=%22michigan%20firearms%20law%22


Pages 202 - 203

 

[redneckdan]

Houghton PD is not exactly the best department to deal with. Only the sergent will do the permits, so you have to catch him while he is in the office. At first they didn't want to give me a CPL packet, claimed they couldn't find them. They were sitting out on an open shelf.

Houghton country sheriff and and hancock police are great people to deal with. The sheriff likes to chew the fat when ever I bring in a new pistol.

 

[rednef]

Madison Heights has only 2 days a week available for so called Safety inspections and only 2 1/2 hours per day. Makes it a real pain to comply with the law. Im sure theres some reason for it, maybe to deter you from buying?
Other than that they dont have any fees or anything.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Lincoln Park used to have a records check that took about a week. After that you received a white card. The card was good for a year. During that year, with that card, you could get as many permits as you liked, at ANY TIME YOU WISHED. I got my permit for my Redhawk at 1 am. Last time I had to do it, they had changed the white card for a letter and it was good for the same as far as permits went, but the records division was the only ones that could do it. Their hours sucked for anybody that works dayshift, as they closed at 4 pm. Can't remember if it was M-F or just certain days. I have been using my CPL for the last 5 years or so, so I don't know if this is still the case.

 

[greg531mi]

Grand Rapids had a 5 day waiting period. I don't know if they still have it, since I got my CPL...don't have to get a permit to purchase anymore.....they do charge $5, to get it safety check!!! What a laugh, they couldn't even find the mag release on my new Smith!!!!

 

[Michigander]

I'm inclined to believe that, though it's nice to know that as soon as money gets tight they scale back "unnecessary" services like assisting citizens in exercising their second amendment rights.

If you have to ask permission, is it a "right"?

 

[Declaration Day]

No, it's not, but as long as we have to put up with this ludicrous "safety inspection" law, they should have to make it as convenient as possible.