There is a long list of weapons available out there. Some of them are legal and some of them are illegal. Some of them are lethal and some usually arenât so deadly. With online shopping being what it is, you can have almost anything delivered to your door in a matter of days. But should you? Are you allowed to own a potentially lethal weapon, just because you can access it? Not in Michigan. The law is very clear about what weapons you’re allowed to own and use in your own self-defense, and what’s off limits. Not sure what’s okay and what isn’t? Check out this incomplete list:
Guns:
Guns are legal to own and use in Michigan, but not all guns are okay to have, and not everyone can have one. Specifically, if you’re a convicted felon, or you’re on probation or parole, you may not possess or carry a gun of any kind! (However, there is a process to apply to restore your gun rights.) Here’s a partial breakdown of the legal yea and nay of gun ownership here in Michigan. But remember, there are state laws and there are also federal weapons laws. Sometimes there are local laws too. Before possessing any weapon, discuss it with an attorney that understands both sets of laws. Note that carrying a weapon is not the same as owning the weapon.
Guns and Ammo most people can own:
- Handguns (revolver or semi-automatic pistol)
- Shotguns
- Rifles
- Air guns
Guns and Ammo most people can’t own:
- Automatic weapons,
- Machine guns,
- Armor-piercing rounds,
- Mufflers,
- Silencers,
- Short-barreled shotguns,
- Short-barreled rifles
Bows:
There aren’t that many types of bows available, but all of them are legal to use and own, bearing in mind that there are a few restrictions on seasonal use (like the fact that you can’t use a crossbow in the U.P during the muzzleloader and late archery seasons)
Bows you can have:
- Compound bows
- Recurve bows
- Crossbows
- Long Bows
Knives:
Knives can be dicey (no pun intended) because there are so many different types out there, but there aren’t that many that are permitted to be carried here in Michigan. However, there’s a difference between owning a knife that you keep and display in your home, and carrying that knife on your person.You can own almost any knife you can think of here in Michigan, but you aren’t allowed to carry them all on your person. Also, remember that some cities, like Lansing and Detroit, have passed more restrictive knife laws, so be sure you know what the city ordinances are where you plan to be out and about with your knife.
Knives you can carry:
- Spring-loaded knives (like switchblades)
- Pocket knives
- Hunting knives (as long as you’re using them for hunting and nothing else)
Knives you can’t carry:
- Any double-edged non-folding stabbing knife (like a dagger, dirk, or stiletto)
- Any double-edged automatic knife
Other weapons:
There are loads of other weapons available for the collector, history buff, survivalist, and battle aficionado, but nothing you can carry around with you or keep in your car in case of a sudden zombie apocalypse. Battle axes, nunchucks, brass knuckles, batons, swords, clubs, spears, and sais are all very interesting, and you’re more than welcome to buy them and hang them on the walls in your living room if you want to. But don’t leave the house with them strapped to your side or tucked into your boot, or you could end up in a lot of trouble!
Weapons charges can be really serious in Michigan
We get it – it can be confusing to keep up with what you can and can’t own or carry in Michigan when it comes to weapons. But it pays to be informed when it comes to your rights. So if you’ve been accused of possessing an illegal weapon, or carrying a weapon that was off-limits to you, call The Kronzek Firm immediately and make sure your future is in the hands of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. And that’s us. So call us at 866 766 5245 right now and schedule your free consultation with one of our aggressive and tenacious criminal defense attorneys. We have been an NRA referral attorney for the last 20 years. You can reach us by calling 1 866 7NoJail.