In many states and under Federal law, convicted felons are barred from owning firearms for life. But in Michigan, felons may be able to regain their right to bear arms when they meet certain conditions. In such cases, you will have a better chance of having your Second Amendment rights restored with the help of a Michigan weapons attorney.
How Does Michigan Law Restrict a Felon’s Gun Ownership Rights?
Michigan Penal Code section 750.224(f) sets out different gun ownership restrictions depending on the type of felony for which you were convicted. Note that none of the following conditions apply if your felony conviction has been pardoned or expunged–unless those orders specifically state that you are not allowed to own or possess firearms.
If you were convicted of a felony involving one or more of the following elements:
- The use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against a person or property
- The unlawful manufacture, possession, or distribution of a controlled substance
- The unlawful possession or distribution of a firearm
- The unlawful use of an explosive
- Arson, a burglary, or breaking and entering into an occupied dwelling
You cannot possess, use, transport, sell, or purchase a firearm or ammunition in Michigan until 5 years after you have done all of the following:
- You paid all of your fines
- You served your imprisonment terms
- You successfully completed your parole or probation
- A Michigan circuit court has restored your Second Amendment rights under section 4 of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.424
If you were convicted of any other kind of felony (or any crime punishable by 4 years or more in prison), you cannot possess, use, transport, sell, or purchase a firearm or ammunition in Michigan until 3 years after you have met all of the conditions below:
- You paid all of your criminal fines
- You served your prison term
- You successfully completed all of your parole or probation requirements
A violation of these regulations constitutes the crime of Felons in Possession of Firearms and is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines reaching $5,000. Regardless of the quantity of weapons or ammunition involved, each time you violate this section Michigan law treats it as a separate offense. So if you go deer hunting twice in violation of this section, you could face up to 10 years in jail and $10,000 in fines.
