Legal Requirements for Michigan Private Gun Sales
Generating your official Michigan gun bill of sale takes less than 5 minutes using our interactive builder above. Under Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.422, recording the precise serial number, weapon specifications, and verifying the buyer's MI Driver License / LTP or CPL # is your primary line of legal defense should the firearm ever be traced back to you.
Need a field-by-field breakdown on how to legally execute this transfer? Read our comprehensive, nationwide Step-by-Step Firearm Bill of Sale Guide.
Last Updated: May 27, 2026
Michigan's gun laws changed fundamentally on February 13, 2024 — exactly one year after the Michigan State University shooting. Three major laws took effect simultaneously: universal background checks for all private sales including long guns, mandatory safe storage when minors are present, and a new Red Flag law. Before 2024, long gun private sales required no background check in Michigan. Now every transfer — handgun or long gun — requires either a License to Purchase or a valid CPL. A Pistol Sales Record must be filed with local law enforcement within 10 days for handgun transfers. This Bill of Sale documents the agreed price and firearm details before you complete the required state paperwork.
Michigan Universal Background Check & RI-060 Mandates:
📄 Great Lakes State Form Blueprint Preview:
💡 Michigan 10-Day Pistol Registry Laws
Michigan's two-track system for private sales: for handguns, the buyer needs either a License to Purchase (LTP, free to $10, valid 30 days, issued by local police) or a valid CPL. For long guns, the same LTP is now required since February 2024 — unless the buyer had a NICS check run by an FFL within the previous 5 days. CPL holders skip the LTP but must still complete a Pistol Sales Record for handguns. After any handgun transfer, the seller must submit a copy of the Pistol Sales Record (RI-060) to local law enforcement within 10 days by person or certified mail — failure is a misdemeanor. Michigan's safe storage law (MCL 28.429) requires firearms to be in a locked container or with a trigger lock when a minor is likely present. A constitutional carry bill was introduced in March 2026 but remains pending — Michigan does not yet have permitless carry.
🚫 Critical Felony & Fine Risks for Michigan Sellers
- Thinking long gun private sales still require no background check — as of February 13, 2024, all private firearms transfers in Michigan require either an LTP or CPL. The old 'handgun only' rule no longer applies.
- Not submitting the Pistol Sales Record within 10 days — for handgun transfers, the seller must deliver a copy of the RI-060 form to the local police department or sheriff's office within 10 days. Missing this deadline is a misdemeanor under MCL 750.223.
- Assuming a CPL application receipt counts as a valid CPL — it does not. Only an actual issued CPL card skips the LTP requirement. An application receipt has no legal effect for purchase purposes.
- Violating Michigan's safe storage law — since February 2024, if a minor is likely to be present on the premises, all firearms must be stored in a locked container or with a trigger lock under MCL 28.429. Selling to someone and knowing they will violate this law could create liability.
- Selling to a non-Michigan resident — only Michigan residents can buy handguns, short-barreled rifles, or short-barreled shotguns in Michigan. Non-residents may purchase standard long guns but cannot acquire handguns through private Michigan sales.
- Not knowing the 10-year misdemeanor disqualifier — Michigan prohibits firearm purchases by anyone convicted of certain misdemeanors within the previous 8 years (for some offenses) or 3 years (for others). This is stricter than federal law and catches many buyers off guard.
Michigan Firearm Transfer FAQ
Do I need a background check for a private sale in Michigan?
Yes — and this applies to long guns too since February 13, 2024. Michigan's PA 17 of 2023 expanded the background check requirement to all firearms including rifles and shotguns. Every private buyer must present either a valid License to Purchase (LTP) or a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) before you can legally transfer any firearm. The LTP is obtained from local law enforcement and is valid for 30 days.
What is the License to Purchase and how does it work?
The License to Purchase (LTP) under MCL 28.422 is Michigan's state-level purchase permit required for all firearm transfers. The buyer must submit to a background check at a local police department or sheriff's office. One exception: if a buyer had an FFL run a NICS check within the previous 5 days, they can use that for a long gun purchase without a separate LTP.
What is the Pistol Sales Record (RI-060) and what are my obligations?
The Pistol Sales Record (RI-060) must be completed for every handgun transfer. Both buyer and seller sign the form, and the seller must submit a copy to local law enforcement within 10 days. Failure to submit the RI-060 within 10 days is a misdemeanor under MCL 750.223, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
Is a separate Bill of Sale necessary if I complete the RI-060?
Yes — the RI-060 is the state's record, not your private contract. A Bill of Sale documents the agreed price and the firearm's condition, which are not included on state forms. Under MCL 750.223, a seller who knowingly sells to a prohibited person faces up to 10 years in prison; the Bill of Sale's buyer declaration serves as a good-faith defense.
Can I sell a rifle or shotgun to an 18-year-old in Michigan?
Yes — the minimum age for long gun and private handgun purchases in Michigan is 18. While federal law requires age 21 at FFL dealers for handguns, Michigan state law allows 18-year-olds to purchase from private sellers provided they obtain a License to Purchase first.
What is Michigan's safe storage law and how does it affect private sales?
Michigan's safe storage law (MCL 28.429) requires firearms to be stored in a locked container or with a trigger lock when a minor under 18 is likely to be present. Sellers should include a reminder of these obligations in their Bill of Sale to mitigate potential civil liability.
Does Michigan have a Red Flag law?
Yes — Michigan's Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law took effect February 13, 2024. It allows family, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a significant risk. Buyers should certify on the Bill of Sale that they are not subject to an active ERPO.
Does Michigan have a gun registry?
Michigan maintains a database of all pistol transfers via the RI-060 system. While not a traditional registry of all owners, the 2024 universal background check expansion creates a paper trail for all firearm transfers, including long guns, through the LTP documentation process.
Can a non-Michigan resident buy a gun through a private sale?
Only standard long guns (rifles and shotguns) may be purchased by non-residents, provided they comply with both Michigan and their home state's laws. Handguns, SBRs, and SBSs require Michigan residency under MCL 28.422.
Is Michigan moving toward Constitutional Carry?
As of mid-2026, a constitutional carry bill remains pending in the Michigan House. Currently, Michigan requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) for concealed carry, which requires training and a background check, though open carry without a permit remains legal for those 18+ who can legally possess a firearm.
Related Forms & Regional Compliance:
Michigan is unique for its dual-peninsula geography and extensive water borders, which complicate private transfers. While neighbors like Ohio and Indiana have moved toward Constitutional Carry, Michigan's 2024 laws created a strict barrier; federal law also prohibits hand-to-hand private sales between residents of different states. If your buyer is from Ohio, Indiana, or Wisconsin, the firearm must be shipped to an FFL in their home state to comply with the Gun Control Act. Be especially mindful of the international crossings in Detroit and Port Huron; transporting a firearm across the Canadian border without strict federal authorization is a severe international felony.