Prohibited Places for Firearms

Chapter 37 of the Michigan Penal Code governs where and when firearms can be possessed and carried in Michigan and also contains various exceptions to any such rules. In several critical areas of firearm law, Michigan treats long guns differently from handguns. For example, Michigan is a "shall issue" state for concealed pistol licenses, but no such concealed carry licenses are available for long guns. That is why the license is called a CPL or concealed pistol license rather than a CCW for carrying a concealed weapon. A long gun may be a weapon but it is not a pistol. With such complicated gun legislation, it is important to retain the services of a skilled gun lawyer that can help clarify things. Your attorney can tell you about the prohibited places for firearms in Michigan and can protect your gun rights to the best of their ability.

Michigan Penal Code § 750.234d and federal regulations list certain locations where firearm possession is prohibited. Individuals who do not possess a concealed carry permit may not carry a firearm on the following premises:

• A depository financial institution or a subsidiary or affiliate of a depository financial institution, including a bank, out-of-state bank, national bank, foreign bank branch, association, savings bank, or credit union
• Property owned by a church or other house of religious worship, without permission
• Courts and court offices
• Theaters with 2,500 or more seats
• Sports arenas
• Day care centers
• Hospitals
• Businesses licensed under the Michigan liquor control act.

Certain people are exempt from these restrictions, such as private investigators and law enforcement personnel. Another similar statute, MCL 28.425o prohibits persons with CPLs from carrying in certain places as follows:

• A school or school property (except that a parent or legal guardian of a student of the school is not precluded from carrying a concealed pistol while in a vehicle on school property, if he or she is dropping the student off at the school or picking up the student from the school).
• A childcare center or day care center, public or private child caring institution, or public or private child placing agency.
• A sports arena or stadium.
• A bar or tavern licensed under the Michigan liquor control code where the primary source of income of the business is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass and consumed on the premises. (This subdivision does not apply to an owner or employee of the business).
• Any property or facility owned or operated by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship. (Unless the presiding official or officials permit the carrying of concealed pistol).
• An entertainment facility with a seating capacity of 2,500 or more individuals that the individual knows or should know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more individuals or that has a sign above each public entrance stating in letters not less than 1-inch high a seating capacity of 2,500 or more individuals.
• A hospital.
• A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university.
• Casinos.

This law also does not apply to certain persons and circumstances.

In addition to Michigan Compiled Laws, the Michigan Penal Code, and the Administrative Rules governing (non-Indian) casinos, there are also rules of certain universities to contend with.

For example, Wayne State University rule § 2.87.03.050 indicates that no person shall while on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by Wayne State University possess or carry on their person any firearm, explosive, or chemical weapon.

Similarly, the University of Michigan's Ordinances, Article 10, § 2, indicates that no person shall, while on any property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the Regents of the University of Michigan, possess any firearm or any other dangerous weapon. In both instances, parking lots are included or embraced by the weapons ban.