Need help from those who live in Michigan

[Ironman]

I Live in Florida and I will be driving up to Michigan to visit family for Thanksgiving, However I will be close to Bent Harbor which you all know isnt the most choice town to visit. I am a 20 year old firefighter with a clean record(duh) and I was wondering the gun carry laws up there. To start, in FL you can have a loaded, chambered, and saftey off pistol in your vehicle at the age of 18(no felonies) as long as its out of plain sight, and in a closed device that would require you to unlock, unsnap, unvelcro, etc to get to the gun. And we have the CWP at age of 21(which im unable to do untill June). Now I have already contacted the police dept VIA email up there and im taking it hes a gun hater cause hes not much help to my questions.(thats putting it nicely)


I know you also have open carry there, what are the ages and limits on that as well as vehicle carry. Thanks guys

 

[Darkmind]

1. DO NOT OPEN CARRY IN MICHIGAN. First off, yes michigan does allow open carry BUT unless your hunting you'll more than likely be cited for disturbing the peace.

2. If you do not have a CCW the only way you can have a firearm in you car is if your transporting it to and from a range or too and from hunting. It MUST be in whats called a transport mode ( Weapon locked in trunk and all ammo locked in glove box ) DO NOT have a loaded firearm in your car if you dont have a ccw

This link should answer all your questions.

http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/publications/firearms.pdf

 

[Trebor]

Sorry, you are SOL.

You'll need to keep the gun locked in the trunk. The ammo has to be separated from the gun. The magazines have to be unloaded.

Open carry is a bad idea. It's technically legal, maybe, but isn't commonly done. You may be arrested if you open carry for brandishing or disturbing the peace or for carrying without a permit. Even if you win in court, and you might, you'd still have to fight it.

The good news is, once you get your Fl CCW, Michigan does recognize that and things will be better for you.

 

[Ironman]

Thanks guys, looks like Im leaving the gun here. O well what are the laws on folding knives?

 

[Stand_Watie]

Open carry is legal in Michigan, but might as well be illegal as to the manner in which the law is enforced (unless you're up in the boondocks in the UP or far northern Michigan). Carrying in a vehicle is prohibited and the prohibition is aggressively enforced unless the weapon is broken down and in the trunk, or you have a CHL.

Carrying in a vehicle is considered de facto concealed carry whether it is concealed or not, and unlicensed concealed carry is a two year felony. IIRC you have to be 21 for a Michigan CCW, although I believe they do recognize Fla licenses (if you come up after you turn 21). The law includes knives (over a certain blade length) and clubs as well, so don't try to work around the problem without researching it first. Carrying a big mag lite for illumination is better than nothing, but make sure if you are confronted on the issue that you're adamant that it is a light and not a club ("anything you say will be used against you in a court").

Now for the good news...Benton Harbor, although a really tough town, is pretty small and easy to avoid if your family doesn't live right in the city proper. Most of west Michigan is as safe a place to be as anywhere you can be without a weapon...small towns, villages, blueberry farms and suburbia. I used to live about five miles outside of Muskegon Heights which is the other high crime small town on Michigan's west coast.

 

[Ukraine Train]

Since you need to have a registration card for each handgun, my interpretation of the law is that you cannot have a handgun in Michigan unless it is registered in Michigan. The only exception is if you have a CCW from your home state because MI has reciprocity.

 

[Ironman]

Is a cold steel recon 1 legal? the only thing that would show in jeans is the clip and top on the handle........
PIC of knife-

Im guessing I can carry pepper spray(2% OC and under) and the knife legally.

 

[Stand_Watie]

Here's a synopsis from the State Police on their interpetation of Michigan's weapons law. Looks like folding knives aren't de facto banned even with a longer blade length. A couple of their FAQ's concerning knives...

****

http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10953--,00.html

18. I recently purchased a double-edged survival knife. Does Michigan law allow me to carry this in my vehicle?

MCL 750.227 No. A dagger, dirk, stiletto, or double-edged non-folding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, cannot be carried concealed on or about a person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in their own home, place of business or on other land possessed by the person.



19. Is it illegal to have a knife with a blade over 3 inches in my possession?

MCL 750.226 No. Michigan law specifies that a person, with intent to use the knife unlawfully against another, shall not go armed with a knife having a blade over 3 inches in length.

 

[41mag]

A pocket knife is a good idea.

If you want a little more reach throw a set of golf clubs in the back seat.There's no snow yet so it isn't really a stretch that the sand wedge you just clobbered the guy with was legitamently just sitting there.

I know a few people that don't carry a gun but keep clubs & other golf (or softball)stuff handy in the car.

 

[Darkmind]

A pocket knife is a good idea.

If you want a little more reach throw a set of golf clubs in the back seat.There's no snow yet so it isn't really a stretch that the sand wedge you just clobbered the guy with was legitamently just sitting there.

I know a few people that don't carry a gun but keep clubs & other golf (or softball)stuff handy in the car.

My fave is my so called tire thumper.

 

[10 Ring Tao]

You can carry any knife you'd like, so long as you don't plan on committing a crime with it.

If you haven't already bought it, make sure to get Fox Labs pepper spray. Its made in MI and MI legal at 2%, but don't be fooled, percentage isn't what makes pepper spray effective at incapacitating. Its the SHU (scoville hotness unit) that makes OC burn more intensely, a higher percentage just makes it burn longer. Most OC is like 2 million SHU, fox is just over 5 million IIRC.

 

[Darkmind]

You can carry any knife you'd like, so long as you don't plan on committing a crime with it.

If you haven't already bought it, make sure to get Fox Labs pepper spray. Its made in MI and MI legal at 2%, but don't be fooled, percentage isn't what makes pepper spray effective at incapacitating. Its the SHU (scoville hotness unit) that makes OC burn more intensely, a higher percentage just makes it burn longer. Most OC is like 2 million SHU, fox is just over 5 million IIRC.

I thought double edged boot knives were illegal

 

[10 Ring Tao]

I thought double edged boot knives were illegal

When I said 'any' knife, I was only referencing length. My bad. 'Tis true, the knife can not be double edged.

To answer the question on the Recon, I think it would be fine. I've not seen the spear point in person, but from the looks of it, the top edge is not sharpened.

 

[Darkmind]

I so wish i could carry my fav knife.

 

[jefnvk]

I do not believe there is a requirement that ammo has to be locked in a glove box. The gun must be unloaded, and encased. Straight from the hunting guide:

"While in the field, handguns must be carried in plain view. Carrying a handgun in a holster in plain view is permitted"

"You may transport your registered handgun while enroute to and from your hunting or target shooting area; however, hanguns, including BB guns larger then .177 caliber and all pellet guns, must be unloaded and in a closed case designed for the storage of irearms in the trunk of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the handgun must be unloaded and in a closed case designed for the storage of the firearms and cannot be readily accessible to any occupant of the vehicle."

Knives are OK, as long as you are not carrying with the sole intent of committing a crime.

 

[Ironman]

God Im glad I live in the sunshine state. I already have the Recon 1(best utillity/fighting knife Ive ever had, damn thing cuts through 1" branches)

So I get pulled over cop asks, "whats that knife for?" me-"knives are used for cutting" Cop- "dont be sarcastic, what the hell is it used for?" Me- "to cut any box that threatens givin me a hard time opening it."

And then Ill be on my marry way? What if the next day some thug decides he likes my new truck and wants it, and I call 911 and proceed to slash/stab untill cops arrive. Now im arrested for using my box cutter knife cause some dumbass wants my truck?!?!

Do they frown apon running the BG down with your vehicle? looks like thats my only choice.(I know get away if i can, im just ranting)