I just established residency in Michigan, having relocated from Illannoy. Being the good citizen that I am, I went to the local police to register my handguns. It was the weekend, and a small town, so the police station wasn't open. Dispatch sent over an officer to pick up my papers.

Turns out I turned in the wrong papers. I gave them a "Pistol Sales Record" instead of a "Pistol Purchase Permit". The police chief calls me today and asks where I got the guns from. I told them I bought them when I was a resident in Illinois. He then tells me that I can't bring guns across state lines, and is a Federal offense. He says I was supposed to ship them from an FFL in Illinois to another FFL in Michigan. I told him that didn't make any sense at all and that I followed the instructions (although filled out the wrong form) from the MSP website.

He says that if I fill out the right form, and turn it in at Village Hall, there shouldn't be any trouble.

Is this guy nuts, or should I prepare my anus?

10/05/2014 UPDATE: So after some back and forth with paperwork that he mixed up, I finally have all of my stuff registered. The last form he messed up, so rather than just signing off with the clerk, I actually got to stand there while he entered the data right in front of me. He seemed like a pretty good guy. Was in full uniform, unlike the coat and tie that most police chiefs I have dealt with in the past. He even had a holdout piece in an ankle holster. Didn't expect that. He highly encouraged me to get my CPL and even recommended a good gun club in the area.

The Chief must be a democrat. If you already own them your fine. If you are purchasing out of state then yes they have to go through a dealer.

From the ATF website
Q: May a person who is relocating out of State move firearms with other household goods?
Yes. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing his or her State of residence.
Certain NFA firearms must have prior approval from the Bureau of ATF before they may be moved interstate. The person must notify the mover that firearms are being transported. He or she should also check State and local laws where relocating to ensure that movement of firearms into the new State does not violate any State law or local ordinance.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.28 and 478.31]

NRA Guide

What city / township did you move to?  Just curious.  Welcome to Michigan.

Ask the chief to point out which federal law says you can't bring your own property across state lines (hint - there isn't one).

He's confusing that with a person buying one from a seller in another state.

Also, some interesting reading here.

Another inquiring mind here... So please do tell OP.  

 

Wolverine Lake

Wait.... did you go to the sheriffs office and they told you this?


If so, did you go to the branch office on glengary?  If you did, go to the real sheriffs office in Waterford.

I went after hours to the Wolverine Lake PD office. They sent a Wolverine Lake officer. I'm going to stop by there tomorrow and see what the deal is. After more homework, I am more convinced that I am right and should only have to sign the purchase permit.

Just mail the RI-060"s via Certified mail with signature confirmation

Or just email them straight from Adobe as you're filling them out in PDF

That's what I filled out, and the chief said I need to fill out a Purchase Permit.

If you have a MI CPL (concealed pistol license) you can fill out the RI60 Pistol Sales Record yourself and mail it in. If not, you do have to get a "Permit to Purchase" for each gun from the PD. You fill it out putting your info as both the buyer and seller. Those are then turned back into the PD either in person or by mail. The reasoning being if you have a CPL you already went through a background check. If not, you need to have one done each time.

So, he is correct in that regard. Still way off on the crossing state lines thing.

Technically he is correct. I would go to the sheriffs office. Law is ridiculous, and you wouldn't know it, unless you researched it.  Sheriffs office understands that. Will post it when I find it.

Sorry, for your issue...I learned the hardway in this state, only deal with counties, local depts have more different opinions then people in this state.
I finally took care of the problem with a cpl (concealed pistol license) one check every five yrs and your done on virtually all purchases.



PS dont tell wolverine pd i brought 20 firearms with me from FL lolol

A CPL is very high on my to do list. Unfortunately,  I have to wait 6 months before I can apply for one.

If you had an IL concealed pistol license, you do not have to wait the 6 months. Although, it's unlikely you had one, I thought I woudl mention it.

Oakland Co pistol info

Yes, you have to do pistol purchase permits. And it is proper to go through the local PD; the county sheriff will likely decline to assist and refer you to them. Unless your city is patrolled by the sheriff directly.

You can now get your pistol purchase permit at any agency in MI. You then return them to the same agency. List yourself as the transferor and transferee. Return the permits to the same agency that you got the permits from. If questioned, you tell them that you purchased them when you were a resident of IL and now you reside in MI.
 

Update in my original post.