Federal Firearms Laws

• Who can I contact with questions concerning federal regulations on pistols?
• I am moving to California. I have a pistol registered in my name in Michigan. Is it legal for me to carry this gun in the car with me to my new location?
• My father-in-law, who lives in Georgia, has two firearms which he wants to give me. Can I legally go to Georgia and bring the guns back to Michigan?
• Can I legally possess a fully-automatic firearm in Michigan?
• Is it okay if I have a pistol with a 15 round clip?

Question: Who can I contact with questions concerning federal regulations on pistols?

Answer:  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Area Supervisor, Compliance, 1155 Brewery Park Boulevard, Suite 300A, Detroit, Michigan 48207-2602. Phone: (313) 259-8050.

Question: I am moving to California. I have a pistol registered in my name in Michigan. Is it legal for me to carry this gun in the car with me to my new location?

Answer:  The May 19, 1986, revision of the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 now allows for transportation of pistols from one state to another providing the pistol is legally possessed in the state of origin, and possession is permitted in the state of destination. It must be transported unloaded and in a locked container inaccessible to the occupants.

Question: My father-in-law, who lives in Georgia, has two firearms which he wants to give me. Can I legally go to Georgia and bring the guns back to Michigan?

Answer:  No. The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 generally prohibits the transportation into or receipt in the state where a person resides of a firearm obtained outside of that state. The transfer of the firearms would be lawful if your father-in-law sends the firearms via common carrier (such as UPS) to a licensed firearms dealer in Michigan. The Michigan firearms dealer can then transfer the firearms to you providing you meet all statutory requirements. If the firearm is a pistol, a License to Purchase or valid Concealed Pistol License is required.

Question: Can I legally possess a fully-automatic firearm in Michigan?

Answer:  Under the Federal Gun Control Act, individuals may only possess those fully-automatic firearms that were lawfully possessed before May 19, 1986. The Attorney General has concluded that a person who has been authorized to possess a fully automatic firearm by the federal Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is deemed licensed and may lawfully possess that firearm in Michigan.

Question: Is it okay if I have a pistol with a 15 round clip?

Answer:  Yes, as federal law 18USC Sec 922 effective September 30, 1994 which prohibited an individual from having a firearm with a clip holding over 10 rounds, was repealed effective September 1, 2004.