Michigan Laws on Air Guns

• Air guns are often considered toys but they actually are weapons like any other gun. Lucas Tiedge/Polka Dot/Getty Images

  Air guns fall somewhere between a recreational type of weapon, a toy and a safe option for military type games and exercises that is not primarily a lethal firearm. As any weapon that fires a projectile, however, air guns can be lethal and are regulated by law. Michigan law has specific statutes that regulate the purchase and use of these weapons.

Purchase

• Rifles and shotguns may be purchased by Michigan residents that are 18 and over, in accordance with federal gun laws. No special permit or license is required for rifles and shotguns. Air gun rifles fall under this category. Pistols, however, require a license to purchase. While the law does require this license, in many instances retailers are not clear on the fact that air gun pistols are considered weapons and require the same license to purchase as do traditional pistols.

Concealed Weapons

• Any weapon in the state of Michigan that is carried on the person requires special training, a permit and license. Air guns are not to be worn on the person in public or in a concealed manner in accordance with the law, unless a concealed weapons permit is owned by the wearer. Without a concealed weapon permit, weapons must be transported in a case, unloaded. If they are in a vehicle with a trunk the weapon must be transported there. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the weapon must be in a case and transported in an area where it is inaccessible to the occupants.

Safety Requirements

• Due to the some air guns replicating many popular weapon brands and the inability to distinguish some from more lethal types of firearms, a bright orange muzzle attachment is required on air guns in the state of Michigan.