Firearm Manufacture or Sale

While you may have the right to possess firearms in Michigan, state law does place limits on the manufacture, sale, transfer, or possession of certain firearms and devices to be used with firearms. Violating these laws could result in a felony charge that may have serious consequences, so if you are accused of such an offense, you may wish to consult a Michigan firearm manufacture or sale lawyer to get the legal advice you need.

A felony conviction on a firearms charge could impact your ability to vote, possess any firearms, or pursue some kinds of job-related licenses or certifications. Employers could see this conviction as a violent offense and decline to hire you. In this kind of situation, obtaining information about your rights from a knowledgeable gun defense attorney prior to simply pleading guilty to charges may be crucial.

Under Michigan Compiled Laws §750.224, it is a felony to make, possess, sell, or attempt to sell any of the following weapons:

• Machine guns or firearms that automatically shoot more than one shot without reloading and with a single pull of the trigger
• Mufflers or silencers (without proper federal authorization, (see Attorney General Opinion 7260)
• Bombs or bombshells
• Blackjacks, slungshots, billy, metallic knuckles, sand club, sandbag, or bludgeon
• Devices or weapons that release gas or another substance that permanently or temporarily disables another person

A muffler or silencer as referred to in this statute is a device meant for muffling, silencing, or deadening the sound of a firearm. It could also be a part or combination of parts intended for use in manufacturing or fabricating a muffler or silencer. A conviction under this statute could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

Individuals who manufacture firearms pursuant to a contract with the federal government are exempt from this law, as are individuals licensed by the secretary of the U.S. Treasury to manufacture, sell, or possess a machine gun or other weapon described in this provision. A firearm manufacture or sale attorney in Michigan could work with you to identify the nature of your particular charge and react accordingly.

As stated by MCL §750.224b, you may not make, transfer, or possess a short-barreled shotgun or rifle in the State of Michigan. This is a felony offense that could result in a prison sentence for up to five years and a fine of up to $2,500. This statute does not apply to individuals who lawfully manufacture, transfer, or possess such weapons under federal law.

To legally possess such a firearm, you must carry the federal registration for that firearm at all times when transporting or using it and present the registration to any peace officer upon request. Failure to do so could leave you subject to a state civil infraction, which carries a fine of up to $100 and allows any peace officer to immediately seize the firearm.

After being charged with this infraction, you typically have 45 days to present the federal registration for the firearm to the law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer. At this time, the agency could be required to return the firearm to individuals who have the legal right to possess it. If you—or any Michigan firearm manufacture or sale lawyer assisting you—fail to present the federal registration within the 45-day timeframe, you could be required to permanently forfeit the weapon to that law enforcement agency.

Michigan laws prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or possession of certain types of firearms and other weapons are very specific and could have very harsh consequences. This may include prison time and high fines. Contacting a Michigan firearm manufacture or sale lawyer for legal advice and representation could be your best move when facing such charges.

A conviction related to firearms offenses could have unexpected collateral consequences as well. If convicted, you could have trouble passing background checks needed for employment or housing, be subject to a lengthy and possibly costly term of probation and be restricted from carrying any firearms in the future. As a result of these potential consequences, getting the legal advice that you may need in this situation could be critical to your future prospects. Call today to get started on your case.