BRIGHTON, Mich. – We?ve recently had several telephone calls regarding handguns and long-guns. Most weapon questions were about how to transport weapons, registering handguns and transporting weapons over state lines.
I utilized the Michigan State Police website and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to locate the answers to these questions. The website is a great resource for everyone, and if go to www.michigan.gov/msp and type FAQ in the search box, located in the upper right hand corner, you will be able to choose from a list of topics.
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Let?s deal with how should long-guns be legally transported? A long gun would be a rifle or shotgun.
MCL 750.227d describes that any firearm other than a pistol can only be transported in a motor vehicle if it is unloaded and is one or more of the following: taken down, enclosed in a case, carried in the trunk of the vehicle, or inaccessible from the interior of the vehicle. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $100 or both. How does a Michigan resident, who is moving to another state, and has a pistol registered in their name, transport the pistol to their new state of residence?
The answer to this question deals with the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968. In May 19, 1986, there was a revision of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968. It is now allowable for transportation of pistols from one state to another providing the pistol is legally possessed in the state of origin, and possession is permitted in the state of destination. It must be transported unloaded and in a locked container inaccessible to the occupants.
Can a person legally go to another state and obtain firearms and bring them back to Michigan?
No. The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 generally prohibits the transportation into or receipt in the state where a person resides of a firearm obtained outside of that state. The transfer of the firearms would be lawful if whoever you purchase the firearm from sends the firearms via common carrier (such as UPS) to a licensed firearms dealer in Michigan. The Michigan firearms dealer can then transfer the firearms to you providing you meet all statutory requirements. If the firearm is a pistol, a License to Purchase or valid Concealed Pistol License is required.
We receive several calls a year asking how to family members transfer a handgun registration when the original registrant has passed away. The State Police does not accept handgun registrations so I contacted Sgt. Mark Tobin, Livingston County Sheriffs Department for an answer.
Sgt Tobin advised to transfer a handgun, the person receiving the handgun would fill out a Permit to Purchase form and in the location for ?seller? information the person would put ?deceased.? Then take the form and the unloaded handgun to the Sheriff Department for inspection and registration.
Since we are talking about firearms, we would like to remind everyone of basic rules for firearm safety. 1. If you find a firearm always assume it is loaded. If you are not familiar with firearms, leave it alone and call someone who knows how to handle firearms. 2. ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction 3. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger. 4. ALWAYS keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
When we give talks about firearm safety we always include simple rules for children to follow if they find firearm: Stop, Don?t Touch, Remove yourself from the area and tell an adult.
It's important for children to leave the area where the gun is located to avoid being harmed by someone who may not know not to touch it. A child as young as three has the finger strength to pull a trigger.
If you have a question, please send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or mail it to the Michigan State Police ? Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114.
Sgt. Mark Thompson, of the Michigan State Police?Brighton Post has been a police officer for more than 31 years. His experience includes walking a beat and going undercover to patrolling roads, and working in rural and urban areas. He currently works as the desk sergeant at the Brighton Post.
"Ask A Trooper" offers citizens a chance to get the scoop on law enforcement, straight from local police. The program?s goal is to offer citizens an easy way to ask questions about criminal law, traffic law, search and seizure, law enforcement operations, court operations and any other questions about the law enforcement community.