I will soon be vacationing in Michigan and I have an Ohio CHL (Concealed Handgun License). I see we have reciprocity but tell me any quirks in your law I need to watch out for?

For example here in Ohio you can't carry anywhere that serves liquor, anywhere that is posted "no firearms" and in the car the handgun must be in plain sight.

What special rules do I need to know about up there? Is open carry a problem?

I am no expert on our CCW laws, but:

-If you are pulled over/or in contact with a LEO, you must inform them that you have a CCW and are carrying.

-In the car, your pistol must remained concealed.

-No carry in churches, schools, or hospitals.

-You CAN carry in a place that serves alcohol, but that establisment can't make more than 49% of its income from alcohol sales. (Restaurants that serve booze are OK to carry in, but bars that sell sandwiches or something are not.)

Beginning July 1, 2001, individuals licensed to carry a concealed pistol by Michigan or another state will be prohibited from carrying a concealed pistol in the following areas:

Schools or school property but may carry while in a vehicle on school property while dropping off or picking up if a parent or legal guardian
 
Public or private day care center, public or private child caring agency, or public or private child placing agency.
 
Sports arena or stadium
 
A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises
 
Any property or facility owned or operated by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, unless the presiding official allows concealed weapons
 
An entertainment facility that the individual knows or should know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more
 
A hospital
 
A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university
 
A  Casino


Premises does not include parking areas of the above places  


A pistol is subject to immediate seizure if the CCW permit holder is carrying a pistol in a "pistol free" area. The following penalties may also be imposed:
First offense:  State Civil Infraction, $500 fine, CCW permit suspended 6 months
Second offense:  90-day misdemeanor, $1000 fine, CCW permit revoked
Third and subsequent offenses:  4-year felony, $5000 fine, CCW permit revoked
Furthermore, effective March 29, 2001, per Administrative Order 2001-1 of the Michigan Supreme Court:
"Weapons are not permitted in any courtroom, office, or other space used for official court business or by judicial employees unless the chief judge or other person designated by the chief judge has given prior approval consistent with the court’s written policy."



BE VERY CAREFUL HERE IN MICHIGAN THEY DID NOT MAKE IT EASY TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS HERE. GOOD LUCK

Good luck running into a cop that is familiar with "reciprocity", and with which states are/are not. You may be stuck on the side of the road until an authority in the know explains it to him. Be sure to state you are carrying legally during your initial contact with LE if pulled over.

You might be suppressed how many know, "reciprocity", and what States apply.  

Yes, I would be. I had a 25 yr. career in a field that worked closely with law enforcement personel, and most cops I knew (State, county and local), with a few exceptions, were not real familiar with gun laws, and relied on local prosecutors to research/give them advice as needed.

I do believe that has gotten somewhat better since Mich. passed the CPL law a few years back. But I also feel that there is room for improvement on the part of the street officers, as well as the citizens who carry or want to. I am cert. to conduct the classes required for a CPL in Mi., and it is amazing to hear what some people believe.

You pretty much hit it on the head, I am in the business and have been for over 30 years.

The cross state carry is posted in all of our ranges. It is listed which states can cross carry, it is the topic of most briefings from time to time, and is very close to the top of the list for subject matter on almost a daily bases on pending cases and old ones. Most do not involve a person legally carrying. Very few so far.  

I have spoken with several sheriff’s in different parts of Michigan as well as several troopers posts and most seem to feel that their officers are well prepared. . I am also cert. to teach the classes required for a CPL in Mi. and I don’t have a police officer come to the class.  I have the prosecutor of the county come in. And a defense attorney for the other side view.

It gives a much more rounded question and answer session. Not just a viewpoint of one officer’s perception of what the current law is.  Then the class can ask the person that is going to weight the warrant on them or is going to charge them, It makes for much better direct information. Also there seems to be different interruption from county to county. That makes it hard for the officers to define the gray spots also the reason we tell everyone to carry a copy of the law. In and out state.

The biggest problem I see is when the state wrote the bill. They did not make it user friendly. And they have changed it all most every year sense they passed it. When they originally wrote the bill I think they purposely made it hard to comply with.  Makes it very hard for the citizens that are trying to follow it to be able to comply.  Good Luck

Quoted: You pretty much hit it on the head, I am in the business and have been for over 30 years. The cross state carry is posted in all of our ranges. It is listed which states can cross carry, it is the topic of most briefings from time to time, and is very close to the top of the list for subject matter on almost a daily bases on pending cases and old ones. Most do not involve a person legally carrying. Very few so far.   I have spoken with several sheriff’s in different parts of Michigan as well as several troopers posts and most seem to feel that their officers are well prepared. . I am also cert. to teach the classes required for a CPL in Mi. and I don’t have a police officer come to the class.  I have the prosecutor of the county come in. And a defense attorney for the other side view. It gives a much more rounded question and answer session. Not just a viewpoint of one officer’s perception of what the current law is.  Then the class can ask the person that is going to weight the warrant on them or is going to charge them, It makes for much better direct information. Also there seems to be different interruption from county to county. That makes it hard for the officers to define the gray spots also the reason we tell everyone to carry a copy of the law. In and out state. The biggest problem I see is when the state wrote the bill. They did not make it user friendly. And they have changed it all most every year sense they passed it. When they originally wrote the bill I think they purposely made it hard to comply with.  Makes it very hard for the citizens that are trying to follow it to be able to comply.  Good Luck

Very true. When the Bill was introduced, it was poorly written and perhaps rushed and/or prepared haphazardly on purpose. I think the finer points have been clarified as time has gone on, and I can't tell you how pleased I am that the Gov. and her ilk  have been 100% wrong about the "blood in the streets" promises they uttered to the sheeple in a blatant attempt to scare all the citizens. Also I was somewhat amazed we got the CPL law in any way-shape or form to begin with.

I am still wondering, from time to time, if not having had any serious problems with CPL holders getting involved in unecessary gun play has been somewhat lucky, or if CPL holders are actually that level headed considering the relatively high number of them?

My guess" somewhat lucky"

I don’t think most of the citizens really understand the spot they put selves in getting involved in anything, even a true self defense thing. The way the lawyers and courts are now a days one could loose everything including your freedom when truly trying to help someone.

Quoted: My guess" somewhat lucky" I don’t think most of the citizens really understand the spot they put selves in getting involved in anything, even a true self defense thing. The way the lawyers and courts are now a days one could loose everything including your freedom when truly trying to help someone.

Very true. People are well advised that they will probably be sued if involved in a shooting. What to do after a shooting is as important as what goes on before and during.

How many of your students do you believe (percentage-wise) are of a mindset necessay to take a human life, assuming they can react before it is too late?

Maby  20 Percent

Quoted: Maby  20 Percent

Can't argue with that figure....seems about right to me.

FWIW trip was trouble-free.

Sucks that you guys have to register handguns. What is the compliace rate you think?