Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.435 — MI Code / Chapter 28 / Act Act-372-of-1927 / Section 28.435
Sale of firearms by federally licensed firearms dealer; sale of trigger lock or secured container; exceptions; brochure, warning, and literature; statement of compliance; notice of liability; action by political subdivision against firearm or ammunition producer prohibited; rights of state attorney general; exceptions; effect of subsections (9) through (11); violation; penalties; definitions.
Status: in_force

Sec. 15.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a federally licensed firearms dealer shall not sell a firearm in this state unless the sale includes 1 of the following:

(a) A commercially available trigger lock or other device designed to disable the firearm and prevent the discharge of the firearm.

(b) A commercially available gun case or storage container that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm.

(2) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(a) The sale of a firearm to a police officer or a police agency.

(b) The sale of a firearm to a person that presents to the federally licensed firearms dealer 1 of the following:

( i ) A trigger lock or other device designed to disable the firearm and prevent the discharge of the firearm together with a copy of the purchase receipt for the federally licensed firearms dealer to keep. A separate trigger lock or device and a separate purchase receipt is required for each firearm purchased.

( ii ) A gun case or storage container that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm together with a copy of the purchase receipt for the federally licensed firearms dealer to keep. A separate gun case or storage container and a separate purchase receipt is required for each firearm purchased.

(c) The sale of an antique firearm. As used in this subdivision, "antique firearm" means that term as defined in section 231a of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.231a.

(d) The sale or transfer of a firearm if the seller is not a federally licensed firearms dealer.

(3) A federally licensed firearms dealer shall not sell a firearm in this state unless the firearm is accompanied with, free of charge, all of the following:

(a) A brochure or pamphlet that includes safety information on the use and storage of the firearm in a home environment.

(b) A written warning informing the purchaser of the penalties for failing to store or leave a firearm in the manner required under section 9.

(c) Lethal means counseling literature published by the department of health and human services under section 9.

(4) Upon the sale of a firearm, a federally licensed firearms dealer shall sign a statement and require the purchaser to sign a statement stating that the sale is in compliance with subsections (1), (2), and (3).

(5) A federally licensed firearms dealer shall retain a copy of the signed statements prescribed in subsection (4) and, if applicable, a copy of the receipt prescribed in subsection (2)(b), for at least 6 years.

(6) A federally licensed firearms dealer in this state shall post in a conspicuous manner at the entrances, exits, and all points of sale on the premises where firearms are sold a notice informing the reader that failing to store or leave a firearm in the manner required under section 9 is unlawful.

(7) A federally licensed firearms dealer is not liable for damages arising from the use or misuse of a firearm if the sale complies with this section, any other applicable law of this state, and applicable federal law.

(8) This section does not create a civil action or liability for damages arising from the use or misuse of a firearm or ammunition for a person, other than a federally licensed firearms dealer, who produces a firearm or ammunition.

(9) Subject to subsections (10) to (12), a political subdivision shall not bring a civil action against any person who produces a firearm or ammunition. The authority to bring a civil action under this section is reserved exclusively to the state and can be brought only by the attorney general. The court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to each defendant named in a civil action filed in violation of this subsection.

(10) Subject to subsection (11), subsection (9) does not prohibit a civil action by a political subdivision based on 1 or more of the following, which the court shall narrowly construe:

(a) A breach of contract, other contract issue, or an action based on a provision of the uniform commercial code, 1962 PA 174, MCL 440.1101 to 440.9994, in which the political subdivision is the purchaser and owner of the firearm or ammunition.

(b) Expressed or implied warranties arising from the purchase of a firearm or ammunition by the political subdivision or the use of a firearm or ammunition by an employee or agent of the political subdivision.

(c) A product liability, personal injury, or wrongful death action when an employee or agent or property of the political subdivision has been injured or damaged as a result of a defect in the design or manufacture of the firearm or ammunition purchased and owned by the political subdivision.

(11) Subsection (10) does not allow an action based on any of the following:

(a) A firearm's or ammunition's inherent potential to cause injury, damage, or death.

(b) Failure to warn the purchaser, transferee, or user of the firearm's or ammunition's inherent potential to cause injury, damage, or death.

(c) Failure to sell with or incorporate into the product a device or mechanism to prevent a firearm or ammunition from being discharged by an unauthorized person unless specifically provided for by contract.

(12) Subsections (9) to (11) do not create a civil action.

(13) Subsections (9) to (11) are intended only to clarify the current status of the law in this state, are remedial in nature, and, therefore, apply to a civil action pending on the effective date of this act.

(14) A person who violates this section is guilty of a crime as follows:

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b) or (c), the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.

(b) For a second conviction, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

(c) For a third or subsequent conviction, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

(15) As used in this section:

(a) "Federally licensed firearms dealer" means a person licensed under 18 USC 923.

(b) "Firearm or ammunition" includes a component of a firearm or ammunition.

(c) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

(d) "Political subdivision" means a county, city, village, township, charter township, school district, community college, or public university or college.

(e) "Produce" means to manufacture, construct, design, formulate, develop standards for, prepare, process, assemble, inspect, test, list, certify, give a warning or instructions regarding, market, sell, advertise, package, label, distribute, or transfer.

History: Add. 2000, Act 265, Imd. Eff. June 29, 2000; Am. 2023, Act 17, Eff. Feb. 13, 2024