Firearm sale clarifications enacted into law
LANSING, Mich.— Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill that allows all non-residents of Michigan to purchase rifles and shotguns in Michigan and Michigan residents to purchase those long guns in other states that allow it.
Senate Bill 984 was introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, to fix a Michigan law allowing federally licensed firearms dealers to sell rifles and shotguns only to Michigan residents or nonresidents of contiguous states.
This provision was enacted to mirror federal law decades ago; however, the federal requirement has since been repealed so that federally licensed firearms dealers can sell rifles and shotguns to residents of any state as long as the purchaser is in compliance with relevant federal law and applicable state laws.
“This outdated statute was brought to my attention by one of my constituents who himself is a federally licensed firearms dealer who wanted to see this clarification in the Michigan law,” said Casperson.
“Michigan’s law is now consistent with federal law so that our firearms dealers are not at a competitive disadvantage compared to dealers in other states that have already made this clarification in their state laws. Not only is that good for business in Michigan, but it is good that law-abiding individuals will no longer have to bear an unnecessary restriction on their ability to purchase a long gun.”
With the Governor’s signature, SB 984 is now Public Act 378 of 2012.