If you wish to carry a concealed pistol in Michigan, it is vital to have a license to carry. This way, you can avoid grave felony charges. Your first step in getting on your own pistol is to know whether you are qualified for a Concealed Pistol License (CPL).
Requirements to Obtain Your CPL in Michigan
Obtaining your own license to carry a concealed pistol is quite easy and straightforward. If you wish to secure a CPL, you must abide by the following requirements set by the Michigan State Police:
- Be at your 21st year of age
- Be a bona fide United States citizen, or an alien legally admitted into the country
- Be a resident in Michigan for at least six months before you apply for CPL. To qualify as a Michigan resident, you must have/be one of the following:
- A valid and legally-obtained Michigan driver’s license, or a Michigan identification card
- Legally registered Michigan voter
- An active member of the US Armed Forces stationed outside of Michigan, who has a home of record in Michigan
- An active member of the US Armed Forces stationed permanently in Michigan, who has a home of record in another state
- The six-month residency shall be waived for applicants who need an emergency license as well as for firearm license holders in other states.
- Have successfully completed an appropriate pistol safety training course or class, to prove your sufficient training and knowledge in the safe use and handling of a pistol
Aside from these requirements, the Michigan State Police also includes specific restrictions on who are not allowed to obtain a CPL in Michigan. Keep in mind that the Michigan State Police-CPL unit works with the federal government in tracking individuals with felonies, violations, or charges. If you fit any of the following criteria, you are not eligible for a CPL:
- Have been or will be subjected to an order of disposition in any of the following:
- Involuntary hospitalization and involuntary alternative treatment
- Legal incapacitation
- Personal protection order
- Bond or conditional release prohibiting possession of a firearm
- Finding of not guilty because of insanity
- Have been prohibited by law to possess, use, transport, sell, purchase, carry, ship, receive, nor distribute a firearm
- Have been convicted of any felony and misdemeanor violations, nor have a pending felony charge, inside or outside of Michigan
- Have been discharged from the US Armed Forces dishonorably
- Have been diagnosed with a mental illness
Aside from the abovementioned state requirements, you must also pass the federal requirements. For instance, CPL will not be issued if you are prohibited from carrying a firearm as determined through the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
The Application Process for a CPL
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a CPL.
- File your application.
Once you fulfilled the requirements, you must accomplish your application form truthfully. You can file it to the county clerk of your residence. The application form is a legal document, and you must sign it under oath. You should also pay an application fee of $100. Do not forget to secure your application receipt just in case there is a delay in the issuance of your CPL.
- Submit supporting documents.
Among the requirements above, you should submit your pistol safety training course certificate. The course should be done within five years from the date of your application. Aside from this, you must also secure a passport-quality photo for identification.
- Have your fingerprints taken.
As the state police work hand in hand with the FBI-NICS, photograph identification will not be sufficient. More biometric data will be needed for documentation purposes. As such, your fingerprints will be taken by either a county clerk, the state or local police departments, or the sheriff’s office.
A fingerprinting fee of $15 will be collected. Just like with your application fee. You must keep a receipt in case of a delay in your CPL issuance.
- Wait for your CPL.
Within 45 days, your license to carry a concealed pistol shall be issued. If you haven’t received your CPL or a notice of statutory disqualification, you may not need to wait. You can use the receipt, along with a Michigan driver’s license or ID, as your temporary CPL.
In case you get denied a CPL for whatever reason, you will receive a notice of statutory disqualification. The notice will include a reason for your disqualification. Of course, you may appeal the notice of disqualification.
Got Denied from a CPL in Michigan? Get Legal Help Now.
If you got denied from a license to carry, there’s a possibility that you may have looked over some requirements. In other cases, there might be some legal technicalities that you can work around to get your CPL.
In either scenario, you will need help from reliable criminal law attorneys. Luckily, the folks at The Clark Law Office can get the job done for you. Contact us at 517-347-6900, and let’s get down to business.
