Michigan firearms preemption (MCL §123.1101–123.1104) prohibits local units of government from imposing any ordinance, regulation, or policy on the purchase, registration, ownership, possession, transportation, transfer, or licensing of firearms, ammunition, or their components. The legislature occupies the field. Limited carriage of firearms inside government buildings is the principal local-authority carveout.
MCL §123.1102 provides that a local government shall not impose special taxation on, enact any ordinance pertaining to, or regulate the ownership, registration, purchase, sale, transfer, transportation, or possession of pistols, firearms, ammunition, or components, except as provided by federal or state law. MCL §123.1103 preserves a narrow carveout: local governments may regulate firearm discharge within their boundaries and restrict carriage inside their own occupied premises. CPL licensing is centralized via MCL §28.421 et seq., administered by county clerks under uniform standards. The Court of Appeals has repeatedly struck down city ordinances attempting to ban open carry in libraries and parks.
Inconsistent local ordinances are void; municipalities have paid attorney fees under MCL §123.1104 when courts strike preempted ordinances. Individuals charged under invalid local ordinances can seek dismissal and recover costs.
See how Saginaw's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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