Rifles And Shotguns In A Vehicle
MCL 750.227d — unloaded, and cased, trunked or out of reach
A firearm other than a pistol may be transported or possessed in or on a motor vehicle only if it is unloaded and at least 1 of these is true: it is taken down, it is enclosed in a case, it is carried in the trunk, or it is inaccessible from inside the vehicle. The same rule covers a BB or pellet gun over .177 caliber.
| What was in the vehicle | The charge and the maximum |
|---|---|
| What was in the vehicleA rifle or shotgun, unloaded, but not taken down, cased, in the trunk or out of reach | The charge and the maximumMisdemeanor: 90 days, a fine of $100, or both |
| What was in the vehicleA loaded rifle or shotgun, in a vehicle, boat or aircraft propelled by mechanical means, or a sailboat | The charge and the maximumMisdemeanor: 2 years, a fine of $2,500, or both |
Pistols follow a different rule, on the Carrying A Pistol page: carrying one in a vehicle without a license is its own felony.
Both sections open with except as otherwise permitted by law. Hunting rules and the other exceptions are set out elsewhere and are not covered here.
Sources for this section (3)
- MCL 750.227d — Transporting a firearm other than a pistol in a vehicle
- MCL 750.227c — Transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle
- MCL 750.227 — Carrying a concealed weapon
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.