Weapons Charges

Lansing Weapons Charges & CCW Defense Attorney

A weapons charge in Michigan carries consequences that don’t disappear when the case ends. A felony conviction can restrict your right to own or possess firearms for years under Michigan law and may result in a federal prohibition on firearm possession, cost you your concealed pistol license, and follow your criminal record for years. If you’re facing gun charges in Lansing or anywhere in Ingham County, the decisions you make right now, including who you call first, matter enormously.

At Clint W. Perryman PC, we handle weapons charges and CCW defense for clients throughout the Lansing area. Call 810-498-2370 to speak with our criminal defense attorney about your situation.

Michigan gun laws are layered, technical, and prosecuted aggressively. The difference between a lawful concealed carry and a criminal charge can come down to a missing document, a disputed traffic stop, or a misunderstanding of where your license is valid. Understanding what you’re actually up against is the first step.

How Michigan Classifies Weapons Charges

Michigan law separates weapons offenses into several distinct categories, ranging from civil infractions for minor permit issues to serious felonies carrying mandatory prison terms, and the classification of your charge determines your entire exposure.

The most commonly prosecuted firearms charges in Lansing include:

  • Carrying a concealed weapon (CCW): Under Michigan law, carrying a concealed weapon in violation of MCL 750.227 is generally a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Michigan law contains statutory exceptions and exemptions, including circumstances involving a valid concealed pistol license.
  • Felony firearm: Michigan’s felony firearm statute makes it a separate felony to carry or possess a firearm while committing or attempting to commit most felonies, subject to statutory exceptions. A first felony-firearm conviction carries a mandatory two-year prison term; a second conviction carries five years, and a third or subsequent conviction carries 10 years. The sentence must be served before and consecutively to the sentence for the underlying felony and cannot be suspended during the mandatory term.
  • Unlawful possession by a prohibited person: Michigan and federal law restrict firearm possession by certain prohibited persons, including individuals with qualifying felony convictions and certain domestic violence convictions. Certain protective orders and other court orders can also create firearm restrictions under applicable state or federal law. Violating Michigan’s prohibited-person firearm statute can constitute a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
  • Carrying a firearm in a prohibited location: Michigan law prohibits CPL holders and certain exempt individuals from carrying a concealed pistol in specified locations, including schools and school property, childcare facilities, sports arenas, certain taverns, places of worship under specified circumstances, large entertainment facilities, hospitals, college and university dormitories or classrooms, and casinos. Violations of the CPL prohibited-premises statute can result in a civil infraction for a first offense, a misdemeanor for a second offense, or a felony for a third or subsequent offense. Other firearm restrictions may also apply in weapon-free school zones and other locations under separate statutes.
  • Armor-piercing ammunition: Michigan law separately prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale, or use of armor-piercing ammunition, subject to statutory exceptions. A willful violation is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

Civil infractions can also apply in limited licensing-related situations, but the bulk of firearms cases prosecuted in district court and circuit court in Lansing involve felony-level conduct.

Michigan’s Concealed Pistol License: What the Law Actually Requires

A Michigan concealed pistol license authorizes concealed carry only under specific conditions; violating those conditions, even unintentionally, can result in suspension, revocation, or criminal charges.

To legally carry a concealed firearm in Michigan, you must hold a valid CPL issued through the county clerk’s office. Michigan is a “shall issue” state, meaning the county clerk must issue a CPL if you meet the statutory qualifications, but those qualifications are strict. Prohibiting factors include prior felony convictions, certain misdemeanor convictions (including domestic violence offenses), mental health adjudications, and being subject to a personal protection order.
CPL holders who are stopped by law enforcement are required by Michigan law to immediately disclose that they are carrying a concealed pistol and must show their CPL and state-issued identification upon request. Failure to make the required disclosure is a state civil infraction. A first disclosure violation carries a $500 fine and a six-month CPL suspension, while a subsequent violation within three years carries a $1,000 fine and CPL revocation. Failing to have or produce the required license and identification is separately addressed by Michigan law and carries a $100 civil infraction penalty.

If your CPL is suspended or revoked, continuing to carry a concealed pistol without another applicable statutory authorization or exemption can expose you to criminal liability, including a potential CCW charge.

The Felony Firearm Charge: Why It Changes Everything

Michigan’s felony firearm statute imposes a mandatory consecutive prison term for a felony-firearm conviction. A first conviction carries two years, a second carries five years, and a third or subsequent conviction carries 10 years. The mandatory term must be served before and consecutively to the sentence for the underlying felony and cannot be suspended during the mandatory term.

When prosecutors add a felony firearm count to another criminal charge, say, a drug crime, an assault, or a robbery, the math becomes brutal quickly. Even if you resolve the underlying offense favorably, a felony firearm conviction still means a mandatory prison sentence runs first, before any other punishment begins. Judges cannot deviate from the mandatory term, and prosecutors know it gives them significant leverage.

Because the felony firearm charge is so powerful as a tool in plea negotiations, challenging whether a firearm was actually “possessed” during a felony, and what “possession” legally means, becomes critical. Constructive possession, meaning you didn’t have the gun on your body but it was nearby and allegedly accessible, is frequently contested, and the prosecution’s evidence on that point must be scrutinized carefully.

Defense Strategies in Lansing Gun Cases

Effective defense in a Michigan weapons case starts with the Fourth Amendment. If police obtained the firearm through an unlawful arrest, an unconstitutional stop, or a search that exceeded its lawful scope, the physical evidence can potentially be suppressed, which may collapse the prosecution’s case entirely.

Every weapons case has pressure points that a thorough defense attorney examines from the start:

  • Constitutional rights at the stop: Was there reasonable suspicion to stop you? Did the stop become a search? Illegally obtained evidence is suppressible under both the federal and Michigan constitutions, and a successful suppression motion can end a case before trial.
  • Actual vs. constructive possession: Prosecutors often charge unlawful possession when a firearm was found in a shared vehicle or space. Proving the firearm was actually yours, or that you even knew it was there, is the prosecution’s burden, not yours.
  • License and paperwork issues: Some gun charges arise from documentation failures rather than criminal intent. Challenging whether the alleged offense reflects a genuine licensing violation versus an administrative error matters to the outcome.
  • Witness statements and police reports: Discrepancies between officer accounts, witness statements, and physical evidence are common and exploitable. We review everything.
  • Lawful self-defense: Michigan law recognizes the right to possess and use a firearm in lawful self-defense. If you were wrongfully accused in a situation involving imminent harm, this defense deserves serious analysis.
  • Wrongfully accused or falsely accused: Cases of mistaken identity or fabricated allegations are not rare in firearms prosecutions. Challenging the identification or the circumstances of the alleged offense is part of building a complete defense strategy.

A preliminary examination in district court is an important stage in a felony case at which the prosecution must present evidence establishing that a felony was committed and probable cause that the defendant committed it. The defense may cross-examine witnesses and present evidence, making the examination an opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s evidence before the case proceeds to circuit court.

Consequences That Extend Beyond the Courtroom

A felony gun charge conviction in Michigan affects far more than your sentence. It can trigger firearm restrictions, CPL consequences, potential immigration consequences, and a criminal record that follows every job application and background check for years.

The collateral consequences of a firearms conviction are serious and often underestimated:

  • Loss of firearm rights: A felony conviction can prohibit firearm possession under Michigan law for a specified period. For a general felony, the Michigan prohibition generally lasts until three years have passed after the applicable fines, imprisonment, and probation or parole requirements have been completed. For a specified felony, additional requirements and a five-year period apply. Federal law may impose a separate and potentially longer-lasting prohibition.
  • Concealed pistol license consequences: A felony conviction can result in suspension or revocation of a CPL, and Michigan law provides for suspension or revocation in a number of other circumstances. The specific consequence depends on the offense, conviction, charge, or other statutory basis involved.
  • Criminal record and employment: A felony gun conviction is visible on background checks and can close doors in careers that require licensing, bonding, or security clearances.
  • Immigration status: For non-citizens, a firearm-related conviction can have serious immigration consequences, including potential removal or inadmissibility consequences depending on the specific offense, disposition, immigration status, and applicable federal law. Immigration consequences should be considered before entering a plea.
  • Federal charges: Certain state-level weapons violations also expose defendants to parallel federal prosecution under federal gun laws, particularly when prior felony convictions are involved. Federal charges are prosecuted in the federal court system and can carry penalties that differ substantially from those imposed under Michigan law, including mandatory minimum penalties for certain federal firearm offenses.

These stakes are why the goal in every weapons case isn’t just to avoid prison; it is to protect the full picture of your life going forward.

Navigating the Lansing Court System in a Weapons Case

Weapons charges in Ingham County typically begin in the applicable district court for the defendant’s jurisdiction for arraignment and preliminary examination before circuit court proceedings. Understanding how local court procedures work gives your defense attorney the ability to move strategically at every stage.

Weapons charges arising in Lansing and East Lansing are handled through the applicable district court for the defendant’s jurisdiction before felony proceedings continue in Ingham County Circuit Court. Lansing cases are handled through the 54A District Court, while East Lansing cases are handled through the 54B District Court. Other Ingham County matters are handled through the 55th District Court. Felony cases proceed to the 30th Circuit Court when bound over.

Lansing-area gun cases move through a defined sequence. Arraignment sets bond; the preliminary examination follows in district court, where the judge decides whether evidence supports binding the case over to Ingham County Circuit Court for trial. Most felony cases are eventually bound over, but the preliminary examination is still valuable. It is one of the few early chances to cross-examine witnesses, review police reports, and formally challenge the prosecution’s evidence.

We are familiar with how Lansing-area criminal cases are handled locally and can evaluate the procedural and legal issues that may affect a firearms case at each stage of the proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Weapons Charges

Can I carry a concealed weapon in Michigan without a license?

No. Carrying a concealed weapon in violation of MCL 750.227 is generally a felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison, subject to statutory exceptions and exemptions. Michigan requires a CPL for concealed carry in circumstances covered by the CPL statute, and the license must be carried and presented to law enforcement on request during a stop.

What happens to my CPL if I’m charged with a weapons offense?

A felony conviction can result in suspension or revocation of your concealed pistol license, depending on the circumstances and applicable statutory provisions. Certain pending charges can also result in CPL suspension while a case is pending. If your CPL has been suspended or revoked, carrying a concealed pistol without another applicable authorization or exemption can expose you to additional criminal liability.

Does the felony firearm charge always add two years to my sentence?

No. A first felony-firearm conviction carries a mandatory two-year prison term. A second felony-firearm conviction carries five years, and a third or subsequent conviction carries 10 years. The applicable felony-firearm sentence must be served before and consecutively to the sentence imposed for the underlying felony and cannot be suspended during the mandatory term.

What if the gun was found in my car but wasn’t mine?

This is a constructive possession question, and it’s one of the most frequently contested issues in firearms cases. In a constructive-possession case, the prosecution generally must prove the elements of the charged offense, including the defendant’s knowing possession of the firearm where knowledge and possession are disputed. Simply being present in a vehicle where a firearm is found does not necessarily establish possession, particularly when multiple people had access to the firearm.

Can weapons charges be expunged from my Michigan criminal record?

Michigan’s Clean Slate laws have expanded eligibility for setting aside certain convictions, but eligibility depends on the specific offense, the number and nature of other convictions, waiting periods, and statutory exclusions. Some serious offenses remain ineligible. Whether a particular weapons or firearms conviction can be set aside requires an offense-specific review of the conviction and the person’s criminal history.

Facing Weapons Charges in Lansing? Don’t Wait.

Michigan gun charges move quickly from arrest to arraignment to preliminary examination, and each stage is an opportunity that can be lost if you’re not prepared. A skilled Lansing weapons charges lawyer examines the constitutional rights issues, the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, and the full range of defense strategy options, from suppression motions to favorable plea agreements to trial.

At Clint W. Perryman PC, our criminal defense attorney handles weapons charges throughout Lansing and the surrounding area. We look at every detail, police reports, witness statements, the legality of the stop, and the precise elements the prosecution has to prove, and we build a defense based on the actual facts of your case.

Call 810-498-2370 or visit our Lansing criminal defense attorney page to learn more about how we can help. You can afford serious legal representation. The real question is whether you can afford not to have it.