While we're at it, tell me about Michigan

[Shear_stress]

Hi folks,

Been cruising this site a long time as a guest and decided to join.

I am about to abandon the great state of California for the appropriately mitten-shaped state of Michigan (and not a moment too soon--check out California SB357). It will be great to live in a place where actual open space separates the cities and gun owners are not treated like a tribe of dangerous cultists. Just curious if there might be any high-roaders out in the lower peninsula who can give me a little guidance.

I was not thrilled to learn about handgun purchase permits and police "safety inspections". I thought I was leaving those kinds of fun and games behind. Besides that, though, Michigan seems pretty gun friendly, relatively speaking. Plus, I can finally get that Bushmaster I've been pining after for years (though I will have to register my S&W pre-M18--makes all kinds of sense too me). That, and I can finally get my grubby hands on some of those Gander Mountain sale items.

So what are things like in the Washtenaw County area? After checking Davidson's it doesn't seem like there are too many FFLs in that neck of the woods, but there are a few. Also, how are the ranges? There seem to be a couple out toward Dexter.

Thanks!

 

[fb]

Gun wise you are comeing to a great state. I used to live in the city of Saline just a few miles south of Ann Arbor, really fine people there.
Yes this is a gun lovers state, permits are fairly easy to come by. And with few exceptions, LEOs are not hard to get along with.
Lots of hunting, big game and small.
I live north of Lansing about fifty miles, and people up here except guns even more redily.
We dont carrry open, but do carry all the time.
I hope you enjoy michigan, I would not care to live anywhere else.

Good Luck

 

[Sleeping Dog]

There's a decent state-run (DNR) range near Grass Lake, just west of Washtenaw County (I think it's Jackson County).

Another nice thing about the area - it's easy driving distance to Camp Perry and the CMP store. If you're interested in old GI rifles.

Regards.

 

[Tag]

I was not thrilled to learn about handgun purchase permits and police "safety inspections". I thought I was leaving those kinds of fun and games behind.

It's not bad, really. All in all the whole process takes about 1/2 an hour, and you get your pistol same day.

CCW is a little expensive, but the permits are good for 5 years.

Go-Blue!

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Purchase permits take about a week here. I've heard it's the same at many other locations. You apply at your local PD. You receive a letter in the mail that says you record is clear. The letter is good for a year, and you can get as many permits on that letter as you wish. I would suggest the long and drawn out (Wayne cty ) process of applying for your CPL. Don't need purchase permits, then. Also comes in handy if you're close to a high-crime area like me. Personally I'd like to leave this state, but only for a better climate. Were it warmer here year-round, I'd never consider it. But I am damn sure getting out of Wayne cty. This county goes to great lengths to dissuade anybody from getting a CPL, including adding their own BS requirements for aquiring one. There are lawsuits in the offing, but who is going to really get punished? I HATE Wayne cty! The process is much more streamlined in other areas of the state, and as a rule, is pretty much gun-friendly, even with our anti-gun governor.

Don't get me wrong, I've lived here for 49 years and love the state in the summer.

Detest it in the winter, and that's about 5 months.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I grew up in Michigan. It's a beautiful place. Most of the people are generous, outgoing, friendly, honest, and easy to get along with. Away from Detroit, it's pretty clean. If you're an outdoorsy person, Michigan could be considered heaven on earth, although there aren't any mountains.

Detroit, the unions, and representatives of the Democratic (sic) party are a serious problem. They suck tax dollars out of the rest of the state, and squander them on welfare and other leftist extremist causes. Detroit politics are exceedingly corrupt, and have been for decades; its corruption adversely affects the rest of the state, which has always been clean.

When I was getting ready to leave the People's Republic of California in 2002, I thought about going home to Michigan, but had to cross it off the list: I'm flatly unwilling to register my firearms, and couldn't face the thought of handing my tax dollars to some of the worst of the worst. Michigan has tried to diversify economically away from the automobile manufacturers, but that's still its major industry, and from all I've seen, the former "big three" aren't doing very well. Sad!

I'm sure I'll always miss Michigan. The years I spent in the upper peninsula were the best ever.

All that saidâ„¢, it's a far better place to live than the P.R.C. I predict you'll come to love it in fairly short order, especially after you invest in a down-filled winter coat, insulated boots, and mosquito repellant.

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks for all the great information!

It's a relief to know that the permit process isn't going to be as bad as I thought. Those of you who have left California will share my excitement at being able to buy nonconsignment goodies from a dealer that aren't on any "list". For those of you who never lived in California, all this means is that, when J&G Sales offers all those nice 3" Smith M10 police returns, you can actually buy one!

Oh yeah, and I can finally get a magazine for my 10/22 that holds a realistic number of rounds (I missed out on the 1/1/2000 high-capacity cut off here). Right on!

 

[jefnvk]

Purchase permits take about a week here. I've heard it's the same at many other locations. You apply at your local PD. You receive a letter in the mail that says you record is clear. The letter is good for a year, and you can get as many permits on that letter as you wish.

Wow, where abouts are you?

They had no problem giving an 18 year old three pistol permits (Midland Co.). Of the three, none took more than fifteen minuets for the background check or the safety check (which is really not a safety check, simply checking that the serial number on the permit and on the gun are the same). There is the whole issue of having it registered, but it is not as bad as some make it seem. I could get the purchase permit, buy the gun, and have the safety check done in less than an hour.

The biggest thing I have with the system is that anything under 30" is considered a pistol, requiring a permit. That means a G22, which is like 29.5 or 29.7", needs a pistol permit to purchase. That and no NFA, although I am not rich enough to afford any of those toys yet. Any 'assualt weapons' are open though.

LOTS of public land for hunting and shooting. My land is an open field in the woods on state land, about ten minuets from college. Another great thing about Michigan, their public colleges let you keep guns on campus. When I am home, the field behind my house suffices. Instant 300 yard range.

Just stay north of the Saginaw Bay, and you should have no real problems with civilization and antis.

PS - I am finding that north of the bridge is pretty much a whole other state.

 

[Darkmind]

For your sake I really hope you already have a good job lined up before you even hit the road for Michigan. Things are not looking very good over hear in Grand Rapids. A lot of companies are packing up the tents and heading south. Steelcase, one of the largest company's in the GR area is closing down a very large part of its mfg plants and cutting a lot of jobs. They bring in more tax dollars than any other company in the GR area and now thats going bye bye.

 

[dloken]

I suggest moving across the big lake into Wisconsin. Much more gun friendly here than Michigan once we get our CCW (The only thing stopping us is our anti-gun governor). Michigan is C&R NFA only, and you have to put up with the pistol permit nonsense. WI has no restrictions on firearms other than a 2 day handgun waiting period and our lack of CCW (We have open carry though).

 

[Barbara]

Pistol permits here take 5 minutes, tops. It sucks to have to "Safety Inspect" handguns (not long guns) but that's about the only real anti-gun problem.

Just don't move to WaCo. If you need a job, Oakland County is probably your best bet and Livingston County is nearby and pretty pro-gun.

My county is pro-gun, too, but there are no jobs at all.

 

[Mixlesplick]

Muskegon County is hurting for manufacturing jobs. Everything shuts down in the late evening, also, so if you like the night life this isn't the place. We have a lot of beautiful lakes and lakeshore in West Michigan, though.

Pistol permits seem to be faster and easier to get in non-urban areas but they can't be denied arbitrarily anywhere. You can only get the purchase permits at your local pd so you can't go somewhere else if you get a city with a slow permit process.

There are a few outdoor ranges around here and an indoor pistol range in Norton Shores.

 

[Rupestris]

Just don't move to WaCo

I'll second that one. If at all possible, do not live in Wayne County. There are some beautiful neighborhoods in WaCo. Unfortunately the crime rate of Detroit dictates the insurance for the rest of the county. Car and homeowners insurance is probably double what you'll pay in Washtenaw, Macomb, or any other surrounding county.
I live in WaCo but I have done so all my life. stupid, I guess.

If you play golf Michigan has more golf courses than any other state. You can slice into the trees and come out on a completely different course.

You'll need a boat, a snow blower, and a lawn mower. Don't be surprised if you get to use all three in the same day.

This pic was taken on April 24th of this year.

A week before it was taken the temp was 80* in SE Mich.

If you go to http://www.michigandnr.com/hunting/ShootingRangesMap.asp?map=lw you'll find a list of ranges by county.

HTH,
Chris

 

[kudu]

You could always try Indiana, more handgun permits per capita than any other state. 1 out of 15 people have a handgun permit here. Not nearly the hunting prospects that Michigan has though.

 

[MDS]

Washtenaw county

Ann arbor is very liberal (university of Michigan) otherwise washtenaw county is much better.There are a couple of other ranges in washtenaw county.There are also several dealears nearby.As far as purchase permit if you get ccw that acts like your permit however you still need a "safety check" which is they run your serial number to see it your gun is stolen not a big deal just a pain.
Welcome to Michigan

 

[BriGuy1]

Moving to Michigan means:

1) You are required to purchase a boat within 30 days of your arrival;

2) In addition to your primary residence, you are required to purchase a "Cottage" "Up North" within 36 months of your arrival in the State;

3) Factories and business' close or scale back operations on the opening day of firearm deer season;

4) If Playboy ever runs an issue dedicated to women in politics, our Governor will be the centerfold;

5) There are no carpool lanes anywhere-we all drive to work, alone, in our SUVs, and we like it that way;

6) Auto insurance is no-fault; get in a crash, your car gets fixed with no silly lawyers getting in the way;

7) No matter where you live, you are no more than 30 minutes away from cool places to shop, eat, and buy lattes (unless you are "Up North", then you might have to bring your own latte);

8) There are usually two gun shows a month going on within driving distance of where you live;

9) Canada is just a few minutes drive and you can enjoy Cuban cigars and rum cheap;

10) Summers here totally rock.

Welcome!

 

[Rupestris]

Heres a couple links to check out:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/
http://www.firearmsalliance.org/
http://www.mgouc.com/phpBB2/index.php
http://www.michigan2a.org/phpBB2/index.php

BTW, we have Cabelas, Bass Pro, Gander Mtn., Dicks, Dunhams, etc.
You won't have to go far to shop for new toys.

 

[Greymoor]

Shear_stress, the first thing you do is get your CCW. Then all of that purchase permit stuff is out the window. You will still have to have your "safety inspection".

The SE corner is loaded with blissninnys and sheeple. The Dems in our state would like to get their hand in your pocket pretty much as they do elsewhere. Avoid living in Wayne County if you can. I live in Washtenaw County, and allthough we have Ann Arbor, it is pretty gun friendly.

Upstate is beautiful and the farther north you go the more rustic it becomes.

 

[Khaotic]

You'll need a boat, a snow blower, and a lawn mower. Don't be surprised if you get to use all three in the same day.

And if ya need em fixed, lemme know.

WaCo is a lil more absurd than most of MI, true - but i'll take even here over most of the US!

First time i visited this state i loved it, and not long after, moved here.
Not only are they for the most part (yes even we have morons) gun-friendly... I mean, we're the home of the 2nd amendment sisters, after all...
But what also makes me happy is the way people as a whole respect your privacy as long as you stay out of thier business.

Very little of that he-said-she-said, in-your-biz, nosy-neighbor crap I hated the east coast for.

Now if they could just, like.. put some of the exit ramps BACK on 94 so I didn't have to circle the damn city every time I go somewhere...

Can't have everything, heh.
-K

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks again for the great advice.

"Shear_stress, the first thing you do is get your CCW. Then all of that purchase permit stuff is out the window. You will still have to have your 'safety inspection'."

This is something I will probably do on general principle. While living here in California, I actually bought one or two guns with the intention of carrying them at some point in the future. One question: don't you need at least a year of residency to get the CCW, or something?

 

[Old Dog]

Shear_stress - the residency requirement for a CPL is 6 months.
Having grown up in Wayne and Washtenaw counties, with the traditional family "camp" up in da UP, and having been exiled in California for almost ten years of my adult life -- I can tell you that you should find the quality of life in Michigan (as well as prices and housing costs) much better in Michigan.

 

[Trebor]

The residency requirements for CPL issuance are either 60 or 90 days. I'll dig out my info later and check. I'm working right now and kinda busy. (Not TOO busy though...)

EDIT: Ok, maybe it's 6 months. I have a copy of the regs and I'll double check later though.

 

[Shear_stress]

This is great news. I also had the option of moving elsewhere in California, where, miracle of miracles, CCW permits are not too hard to get. I think they made you wait a year, though, and the cost was like $211.64 (or some amount specified down to the penny).

Glad to hear about the quality of life. That's something I've been missing these past few years.

 

[Standing Wolf]

In addition to your primary residence, you are required to purchase a "Cottage" "Up North" within 36 months of your arrival in the State

If it's in the upper peninsula, it's known as a "camp."

 

[Stevie-Ray]

7) No matter where you live, you are no more than 30 minutes away from cool places to shop, eat, and buy lattes (unless you are "Up North", then you might have to bring your own latte);

Meh, who cares about lattes? You'll be eating a pasty, so you just drink a beer with it.



Oh, and Standing Wolf, aren't you forgetting the Porkies? Heaven on Earth.