Right now in Michigan, if you have a permit to carry a concealed pistol (a license which is called a CPL or concealed pistol license), you’re required by law to keep that permit current by renewing it. And if you don’t, or you allow the license to lapse but continue to carry a concealed weapon, you can face serious criminal consequences!
Many Michigan residents have made the mistake of assuming that having an expired license (CPL), even just for a few days or a couple of weeks won’t be more than a slap on the wrist, but you couldn’t be more wrong! Why? Because carrying a concealed gun when your CPL is expired is a felony punishable by up to five yearsâ imprisonment, a $2,500 fine, or both.
But one legislator wants to change that...
House Bill 4434, which is sponsored by state Representative Matt Hall, proposes a new way to deal with a recently expired Michigan CPL. The bill, which was approved in a 90-19 bipartisan vote in the Michigan House, would make the first offense of carrying a concealed pistol without a current license nothing more than a civil infraction with a fine of $330. So, for clarification, this proposed law pertains ONLY to people carrying a gun with a recently expired carry permit.
According to the proposed bill, a person would have a full year after their concealed carry license expired, to get it renewed before that civil infraction became a criminal offense again. A second offense would be a misdemeanor. Also, offenders would be exempt from having to pay the civil fine if they got a license renewal within 60 days of the violation.
Hall says we shouldn’t punish law-abiding citizens
Under current Michigan law, CPLs last for five years before expiring. However, when a license is due to expire, gun owners are notified by the county clerk about the pending expiration of their license via mail. So in Lansing, it would be the Ingham County court clerk who would attempt to contact you. In Howell it would be the Livingston County Clerk, and in Gaylord it would come from the Otsego County clerk. However, the address used for their notification is whatever is on file from five years before when the CPL was registered for. But what happens if you don’t live there anymore?
There have been numerous instances over the years where people have got into a lot of trouble simply because it had been years since they applied for their CPL, they lost track of time and/or never updated their address with their county clerk. Therefore, they never received the notification of pending CPL expiration in the mail and they never realized they needed to renew. “CPL holders are subject to a background check,” said Representative Hall. “These by definition are law-abiding individuals so if the only crime theyâve committed is forgetting to renew their paperwork I donât think they should be a felon.”
So far, this proposed change has been welcomed by many Michiganders
Numerous gun rights organizations have openly supported this legislation, including the National Rifle Association, Michigan Gun Owners and Michigan Open Carry. There are also many people who’ve spoken up in favor of this possible change, which would reduce the number of law abiding gun owners facing felony charges, remove added burden from the courts and prosecutor’s offices, and help people protect their futures.
As highly rated criminal defense attorneys, we understand how easy it is to get confused about gun carrying rights, or misunderstand technicalities. People make mistakes all the time, and we believe you shouldn’t have your good name ruined over a technical oversight. Here at The Kronzek Firm, our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you figure out how to deal with the legal fall out when mistakes and mishaps cause issues with the law. So call 866 766 5245 today and get the help you need from people who understand how to protect our clients.Weâve helped thousands of clients all over the lower peninsula of Michigan during the past decades.