r/Miguns • u/nukey18mon • 20d ago
Legal 20 year old Florida resident traveling to Michigan, can I carry?
Hey yall, I am 20 years old, a resident of Florida, and hold a Florida CWL. Am I able to carry in Michigan when I visit this weekend? I read the language of the applicable statutes, they say that the licensing scheme doesn’t apply to non-residents licensed in their home state. Is there any official clarity on this matter? Thanks!
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u/bigt8261 19d ago edited 19d ago
u/nukey18mon just about everything you were told here is wrong.
YES, you may carry a concealed pistol in MI under the facts that you've described.
MCL 28.432a(h) applies to "A resident of another state who is licensed by that state to carry a concealed pistol." That clearly applies to you.
Nothing in that requires you to be 21 years old as some have suggested. Also, people who tell you that a pistol in the cabin of a car is "considered concealed" are also wrong. You need to have a license, but it's not considered concealed.
Lastly, the requirements to obtain a MI CPL are not relevant because the above statute does not make them relevant. You are exempt from the need to obtain a MI CPL.
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u/nukey18mon 19d ago
That’s how I read the statute. Especially when official sources are silent on the issue, I understand the variety of different interpretations.
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
The only "official" source is the statute as there is no case law on point.
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u/nukey18mon 19d ago
I was also looking for AG/LEO opinions or instructions and couldn’t find anything
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
Except for a formal AG opinion, which there isn't one on this topic, you don't want those things. As we always say here, never ask the police for legal advice.
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u/Rhode18 19d ago edited 19d ago
If you have a valid resident Florida carry license under 21 it is valid in Michigan. Nothing in MI law states otherwise. Unfortunately most people here are making up laws because they don’t want you to be carrying. However, their reasoning holds no merit and is based on unrelated statutes that don’t apply to reciprocity. Such as saying the law for applying for a MI carry license somehow is the law for reciprocity which is complete nonsense.
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u/MapleSurpy Head Mod - Ban Daddy 19d ago
Most likely, yes. But if everyone here is confused on these laws, imagine how confused an officer who isn't required to understand laws may be if you get pulled over and/or caught carrying.
This is one of those "It looks like it's legal, but I wouldn't want to be a test case" kinda things.
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
I have no objection to your comment and think it's a good thing to say. I just want to tack on someone else's point about Indiana 18-20yos carrying in Michigan. While its an established thing, to your point, that doesn't mean that every officer understands it.
This is why its always best to discuss what the law says/doesn't say and then leave decisions up to individuals. That said, I would enjoy representing that test case. ;)
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u/Achkshually 20d ago
28.432a states you need a home state license. If you have a Florida CWFL and are a Florida resident, you’re fine. Plenty of 18-20 year olds from Indiana with an Indiana LTCH carry in Michigan.
This has been a talking point MI gun groups have used to the legislature over the years when they tried to lower the age for a MI CPL back down to 18.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Popular opinion on the sub interprets the law otherwise. Official sources seem silent on the matter. At a minimum it’s certainly unclear!
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
This sub is generally pretty good with information. For an unknown reason, it failed pretty hard today. Achkshually and I have provided you the correct information, with citations to the actual relevant statute.
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u/PutridDropBear 19d ago edited 19d ago
Whoa! What a bunch of garbage being handed out in here. bigt squared you away...so I can delete the rest of my comment.
You mentioned transport a few times and were given personal opinions instead of the statutes to read for yourself, so here you go:
MCL 750.231a%20To%20a%20person%20holding%20a%20valid%20license%20to%20carry%20a%20pistol%20concealed%20upon%20his%20or%20her%20person%20issued%20by%20his%20or%20her%20state%20of%20residence%20except%20where%20the%20pistol%20is%20carried%20in%20nonconformance%20with%20a%20restriction%20appearing%20on%20the%20license)(a) - pistols with a CPL
MCL 750.231a%20To%20a%20person,occupants%20of%20the%20vehicle)(d or e) - pistols without a CPL
MCL 750.227d%20A%20firearm%2C%20other,interior%20of%20the%20vehicle)(a) - non-pistols
Edit: fixed links
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u/Forsaken-Bench4812 20d ago
You have to be 21 and have a Florida CPL, Michigan doesn’t honor permit less carry
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
You are wrong. Nothing in Michigan requires a resident of another state carrying under that state's license to be 21yo or older. See MCL 28.432a(h).
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
To add, and I don’t mean to be difficult, merely thorough:
28.432(1)(f) seems to exempt all non-residents with a license to carry in their state from the licensing requirements of 28.422. Furthermore, 28.422 has an internal exemption that also does not restrict based on age. It seems like this is uncharted territory in Michigan firearms law interpretation.
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u/AP587011B 20d ago
That’s with regards to the licensing requirements with regards to purchasing and possessing a pistol
NOT the licensing requirement to conceal carry
MI does not have permitless carry, only accepts some other states CCW license not all and it does not issue CPLs to people under 21.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
I thought 28.432 was Michigan’s reciprocity statute for concealed carry?
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u/AP587011B 20d ago edited 20d ago
It might be part of it, but in no way does MI allow permitless conceal carry by anyone
The statute I believe expressly says something to the effect of what I mentioned and I think something along the lines of recognizing other states permits (which not all other states are accepted)
If you were 21+ you would be fine. Being 20 it’s unfortunately a very gray area, being wrong here in this case is a felony
Non residents aren’t even allowed to open carry unless they have a valid permit from another state that is accepted
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u/K1ngofKa0s 20d ago edited 20d ago
MCL 28.425b(7)(a) clearly states that in order to obtain a MI CPL and conceal carry you must be at least 21 years of age ergo it is not legal for anyone under 21 to conceal carry in Michigan.
Since firearms must be carried in accordance with the laws of the state being visited (not the state that your permit is issued from), you are not legally allowed to conceal carry in Michigan if you are under 21. Resident or visitor doesn't matter.
28.432 is the laws for obtaining a LTP (License To Purchase), not a CPL. As this law applies to the LTP and not a CPL it does not have any bearing on legal concealed carry requirements. 28.432(1)(f) exempts out of state visitors from having to obtain a LTP/registering their pistol with the state police. It does not grant carte blanche to conceal carry without any restrictions because you have an out of state license.
Not that I am recommending it but you are able to open carry if you feel so inclined with a recognized out of state permit.
Edit: IANAL and this is not legal advise. This is some random MI resident reading MI law. 🤷♂️
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Out of curiosity, which statute provides for reciprocity to non-residents for concealed carry?
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u/Forsaken-Bench4812 20d ago
MCL 750.231a makes it legal for a non-resident of Michigan, with a valid CPL issued by his or her state of residence, to carry a concealed pistol in Michigan as long as the pistol is carried in conformance with any and all restrictions and laws in Michigan .
* *
I know we’re beating a dead horse here but the law is that to conceal carry in Michigan you have to be 21 even if your home state licenses you and allows you to before then.2
u/nukey18mon 20d ago
“(1) Subsection (2) of section 227 does not apply to any of the following:
(a) To a person holding a valid license to carry a pistol concealed upon his or her person issued by his or her state of residence except where the pistol is carried in nonconformance with a restriction appearing on the license.”Funnily enough the statute only mentions restrictions on the license from the issuing state.
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u/K1ngofKa0s 19d ago edited 19d ago
750.227(2) outlines the laws regarding Concealed carry and makes it a felony to conceal carry without a license. 750.231a goes over the exception to those requirements.
750.231a is stating that 750.227(2) does not apply to out of state permit holders with the exception being, if they are not carrying in accordance with the requirements of their own issuing states permit. Its clarifying who is exempt while also stating an exception to the exception. Essentially you are exempt from 750.227(2) if you are carrying in conformance with both Michigan State Law and the requirements of your issuing state permit. If you are not conforming to your own permits requirements then you are not exempt from the exemption and are committing a felony.
Edit: Grammar
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u/nukey18mon 19d ago
Maybe I’m missing something but the “exception to the exception” only mentions carrying in accordance with listed limitations on the license?
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u/K1ngofKa0s 19d ago
Exception: Sub section 2 of 227 does not apply to a person holding a valid license to carry a pistol concealed... Issued by his or her state of resident
Exception to the exception: Except where the pistol is carried in nonconformance with a restriction on the license (the "restriction on the license" being the restrictions of the carry permit)
In other words you are exempt except when you are carrying in a way that does not confirm to the restrictions of your permit.
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u/nukey18mon 19d ago
Ok, so according to that reading the 21 application age for Michigan doesn’t matter
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u/Rhode18 19d ago edited 19d ago
Your reasoning is flawed. If we follow your logic then MCL 28.425b(7)(c) must also be followed which states:
"The applicant has knowledge and has had training in the safe use and handling of a pistol by the successful completion of a pistol safety training course…”
There are multiple states which do not require a training course to be issued a permit. Are you saying that only states that require a training course for issuance are recognized in MI since Michigan law must be followed? Therefore states like New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, etc aren’t actually recognized in Michigan contrary to the vast majority of online sources?
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u/K1ngofKa0s 19d ago
Just because something applies to one statue does not mean it applies to all. The two are treated differently under Michigan law.
If you have a valid out of State permit recognized by the state of Michigan you are not subject to the training requirements specific to the Michigan CPL because the permit from your home state serves the same function in lieu of a Michigan CPL and the required training. Reciprocity allows Michigan to accept the out of state permit in place of the required Michigan training.
The age restriction however is a blanket requirement, there is no equal equivalent for which it can be exchanged or replaced with. You either are or at not the required age.
Its similar to a driver's license. Michigan does not require drivers to complete a Michigan driving course to drive in Michigan and accepts drivers licenses from other states but the age restriction for driving in Michigan applies to all drivers regardless of their state of residence.
One requirement is administrative (the training) the other (age) is an absolute. They re not the same.
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u/Rhode18 19d ago
You are correct in one thing that is just because something applies to one statute doesn’t mean it applies to all. That being that just because there is an age restriction in the MI CPL statute doesn’t mean it automatically applies to the reciprocity statute just because you want it to. You really are so close to getting it though.
You also say that there needs to be an "equal equivalent" but some states don’t have any training requirement so how is that equal or an equivalent? Additionally, your claim that one is "administrative" and the other "absolute" holds no basis in the law and is completely subjective and based merely on your own extrajudicial opinions and not the law itself.
You are right that out of state license holders need to follow Michigan’s laws but that only would apply if Michigan laws actually had a minimum carry age which there isn’t. What you’re looking at is the minimum age to apply for a MI CPL which can’t be magically turned into a minimum carry age just because you want there to be a minimum carry age.
I know you’re just going to double down on your false interpretation of the law but the law is pretty black and white on this issue. No amount of mental gymnastics is going to change the plain reading of the law.
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u/K1ngofKa0s 19d ago
As I said I am not a lawyer. If you don't agree with me, go ask a lawyer. I won't be offended. You clearly seem more invested in this than I am. I was just sharing what the laws say. 🤷♂️
The minimum carry age in Michigan is 18, for open carry and there is a minimum age of 21 to conceal carry. You can't get a license to carry unless you are 21. Not sure how where you would get the idea there is not a minimum carry age in Michigan. Just because you want to believe there isn't one doesn't make that true.
You claim I have done mental gymnastics yet have provided literally no citations for anything to refute what I have referenced other than your own opinion not have you provided anything to support your own claims. I think you are doing more mental gymnastics than I am.
Find me one legitimate source that says someone under 21 and from out of state can legally conceal carry, I'll wait.
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u/Rhode18 19d ago
No need to to talk to a lawyer. You can just read the law correctly and not add extra parts which are not there to begin with.
The blanket requirement fallacy you keep bringing up fails since there is a blanket requirement that a training course be completed at some point yet you say it’s fine for states that don’t have a training course at all to still be recognized. Thats the literal definition of mental gymnastics since you are upholding one part which proves your argument (age requirement) yet ignoring the other (training requirement) which does not uphold it. You can’t get a MI license unless you have taken a training requirement period just like you can’t get one if you’re under 21. You can’t just pick which requirements you personally think should apply universally and ignore those you don’t because it hurts your argument.
The legitimate source is right in the law. No need to find third party sources to read what is right in front of us:
(9) An individual who is not a resident of this state is not required to obtain a license under this section if all of the following conditions apply:
(a) The individual is licensed in the individuals’s state of residence to urchase, carry or transport a
pistol.
(b) The individual is in possession of the license described in subdivision
(c) The individual is the owner of the pistol the individual possesses, carries, or transports.
(d) The individual possesses the pistol for a lawful purpose.
(e) The individual is in this state for a period of 180 days or less and does not intend to establish
residency in this state.The law clearly says that if you meet all the following conditions you are not required to obtain a MI license period. There is no mention of age or being eligible for a MI license like other state’s reciprocity laws have. Just because you don’t like the fact that it doesn’t prohibit a certain class of people doesn’t mean you can just take a part of another law and copy and paste it into the law where you believe it is missing. Thats just not how the law works. So if you can’t get that simple concept through your head then I don’t think you’re ever going to grasp it.
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u/K1ngofKa0s 19d ago
It makes absolutely no sense that the State would limit residents from concealed carrying unless they were over 21 while permitting out of state visitors to do so. Going to have to agree to disagree and move on with my day.
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u/Rhode18 19d ago
Just because something doesn’t make sense doesn’t mean the plain text of the statute somehow doesn’t apply. To be honest it was probably a massive oversight when writing the law. But at the end of the day the law is the law and you can’t just start cutting out parts of one law and pasting them where you think they should be in the legal code because it "makes no sense" how it’s currently written and you want to fix it. If it needs to be corrected that’s the job of the legislature and not you on Reddit.
I may have been been somewhat confusing with my over explaining. Bigt8261 said it best in his response. Short, concise and gets straight to the point of the matter.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Thanks for responding, do you know the law, case, or AG opinion that supports this? It seems like it’s pretty unclear, so I won’t be carrying concealed, but I will still be transporting it in a vehicle since I am traveling for a shooting match.
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u/AP587011B 20d ago
In Michigan any handgun in the cabin of a vehicle is considered concealed (there might be some exception if it’s in a little locked safe or something)
So just keep it in the trunk and unloaded
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
We are going to have locked hard-sides cases since we are checking firearms on our flight there and back.
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u/Old_MI_Runner 20d ago
Just search for carry reciprocity. Here is one specific to Florida resident's rights in other states.
Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps (Updated July 2, 2026)
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u/AP587011B 20d ago
From the USCCA website
“Michigan Honors Florida with restrictions (at least 21 years old and resident permits only)”
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/mi-gun-laws/
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u/bigt8261 19d ago
USCCA is mistaken. There is no minimum age to carry a concealed pistol in Michigan. There is a minimum age to obtain a MI CPL. Michigan recognizes resident licenses from other states without regard to age. See MCL 28.432a(h).
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u/nukey18mon 18d ago
Your second assumption isn’t established from any official source. The “otherwise qualify” language is for permitless carry, not permit reciprocity. Why are you making that assumption?
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u/carvdlol 20d ago
Damn the legislation allowing under 21s to apply for a CWL in Florida is very recent so it seems kinda weird. Depending on what city you’re visiting I’d probably not carry as lame as that sounds.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Thanks for your reply, I probably won’t end up concealed carrying, however I am traveling for a shooting match so I will need to travel with my handgun regardless. What legal considerations exist in this regard for my situation?
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u/carvdlol 20d ago
I’m not a lawyer but if you keep it locked in the trunk and follow local traffic laws, I’m
Sure you’ll be fine. The law in your situation is basically uncharted so I’d hate for you to be the first example ending in a Supreme Court decision1
u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Wow that’s awful. I have one more consideration: I am traveling with teammates, and we are flying in. At least two are over 21, and I think one has their Florida CWL. The exemption in 28.422 has a requirement that the person be in possession of a handgun they own, since we are packing one checked bag as a team and having our club president declare the firearms (he is over 21), would there be an issue with this? Would the state law require us to be in possession of only our own firearms?
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u/carvdlol 20d ago
Again, not a lawyer, but if you do run into law enforcement and comply with any instructions , I don’t think you would run into any issues. And of course keeping your firearm stored locked and unloaded in the trunk.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Understood. Thank you for your advice. I didn’t think Michigan gun law was this crazy tbh. I’m having an easier time reading NY gun law from when I used to live there.
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u/carvdlol 20d ago
The only hang up is the fact that Florida only very recently lowered the age to apply for a CWL/CPL. Michigan is 21 regardless AFAIK so the change to that in Florida basically introduces a gray area considering both states have reciprocity. We’re talking a couple months at this point so it’s very very new.
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u/nukey18mon 20d ago
Yeah, I applied as soon as I heard the case dropped. It doesn’t seem like the age requirements apply with a plain reading of the statute, but I would rather play everything as safe as possible. I also think that even if carry is 21+, since possession is ordinarily allowed under 21 it seems, the Florida CWL will at least provide an exemption there for mere transport in a vehicle.
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u/carvdlol 20d ago
Anyone can transport a pistol in their vehicle as long as it’s in a lockbox and unloaded and out of reach/in the trunk. So there’s really no exemption needed. But there’s always the vague gray areas written in the law. I’m struggling to come up with a scenario where you’d face any scrutiny as long as the pistol isn’t on your person.
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u/KingFacef2 19d ago
Do you have a florida concealed pistols license? I’m going to guess no since florida is constitutional carry. Michigan reciprocates others states licenses but since your state has no license, i’m going to go with no.
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u/nukey18mon 19d ago
What are you saying? Every state except Vermont issues concealed carry licenses.
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u/KingFacef2 19d ago
My bad, i didn’t see you had a concealed weapons license. Therefore you are recognized in the state of michigan. Could have answered my question instead of some smartass remark
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