Michigan (MI) What NFA Firearms can I own? Updated 3/28/14

Michigan NFA Class 3 firearms

There are several type of Title II firearms which are sold by Class 3 SOT dealers that are restricted by the National Firearms Act.

Each state can impose additional restrictions on the sale, purchase, and transfer of Title II firearms in addition to the compliance that is required with the National Firearms Act.

In Michigan you can own the following Title II Firearms that are regulated the the National Firearms Act:

Machine Guns
Suppressors
Any Other Weapon (AOW) (only some)
Destructive Devices (DD)
Short Barreled Shotguns (SBS)  (See Below but Legal as of 3/28/14)
Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)  (See Below but Legal as of 3/28/14)

In Michigan you cannot own the following NFA restricted items.

 some AOW’s like Tasers or Stun Guns by private citizens whether or not they are class 3 items or the individual has a CCW permit

The Michigan State Police put together a legal update on SBR and SBS which describes the differences between those over 26 inches and those under 26 inches.

Michigan Penal Code amended to allow a person to make, manufacture, transfer, or possess a short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle under certain conditions.

Public Act 63 of 2014 amended MCL 750.224b, effective immediately. MCL 750.224b prohibits a person from making, manufacturing, transferring, or possessing a short-barreled shotgun (SBS) or a short- barreled rifle (SBR).

MCL 750.222(i) defines a SBS as a shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length or a weapon made from a shotgun, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if the weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

MCL 750.222(k) defines a SBR as a rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length or a weapon made from a rifle, whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise, if the weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

Under the new amendment, MCL 750.224b(3) allows a person to make, manufacture, transfer, or possess a SBS or a SBR that is lawfully made, manufactured, transferred, or possessed under federal law.

Registration Requirements

SBR or SBS that is 26 inches or less in length must be registered as a pistol in Michigan:

MCL 750.224b(4) was added to require that a person, except a manufacturer, lawfully making, transferring, or possessing a SBS or a SBR that is 26 inches or less in length comply with the registration requirements of MCL 28.422 or 28.422a. A SBS or a SBR that is 26 inches or less in length is considered a pistol as defined by Michigan law and is subject to all Michigan statutes applicable to pistols.

SBR or SBS that is greater than 26 inches in length:

MCL 750.224b(5) was added to require that a person who possesses a SBS or a SBR that is greater than 26 inches in length possess a copy of the federal registration of that SBS or SBR while transporting or using that SBS or SBR and shall present that federal registration to a peace officer upon request by that peace officer. Violation of this subsection is a state civil infraction.

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