Gun Registration & Concealed Pistol Licenses

Gun Registration & Concealed Pistol Licenses

Firearm ownership carries with it a great responsibility. You must take the appropriate measures to safeguard your welfare, as well as the welfare of others, when handling a firearm. Accident prevention is the user's responsibility.

There is a $5.00 fee to obtain a Purchase Permit and/or Safety Inspection/Registration.

QUALIFICATIONS

To legally own and use a firearm, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must be at least 21 years of age, or you must be at least 18 years of age if you are purchasing the firearm from a relative.
2. If you have ever been convicted of a Felony, you will not be eligible.
3. If you have any criminal cases pending against you or old cases without a court disposition, you will not be eligible.
4. If you have any court orders that state you may not purchase or own a firearm, you will not be eligible.
5. You must obtain a Purchase Permit in the County that you reside.
6. You must present valid picture identification showing your current address. We will not accept expired identifications.

PURCHASE PERMITS

1. To purchase a pistol, you must first come into the Sheriff’s Department and obtain a Purchase Permit.
2. Again, you will have to show a valid picture I.D.
3. You will be asked to fill out a general questionnaire and also be required to take a short quiz regarding handgun rules and safety.
4. We will do a background check to verify that you meet all the qualifications.
5. Once you have been approved, you will be issued a Purchase Permit. You will have 10 days from that date to obtain your handgun. You will then have ten days from the date you purchased your gun to return to the Sheriff Department for a Safety Inspection / Registration. If you do not register your handgun within 10 days, you will need to re-apply for a Purchase Permit. (We will only issue up to three Purchase Permits a day.)

SAFETY INSPECTIONS / REGISTRATION

1. After purchasing your handgun, you must return to the Sheriff Department for a Safety Inspection and to obtain a Registration.
2. You will need to bring your handgun with you. It must be unloaded and in a locked box or carrying case. Do not bring any ammunition. If your weapon is a semi-automatic, you must bring in an empty magazine.
3. You must also bring with you the Purchase Permit that you were previously issued. (The individual that you purchased your weapon from should complete it.)
4. An on duty officer will briefly inspect your weapon.
5. If all the qualifications have been met, you will be issued your Registration. This card is to be kept on you at all times that you are in possession of your firearm.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 4:30 P.M

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you obtained a handgun from the estate of a deceased friend or family member, you will need to bring it into the Sheriff Department (Unloaded and in a locked case), along with a copy of the death certificate. As long as you meet all qualifications, the gun will be re-registered and put into your name.

Further, if you have moved to this area from out of the state, you must bring your handgun into the Sheriff Department (Unloaded and in a locked case), and have it re-registered in the State of Michigan.

A Concealed Pistol License is generally required for transporting a pistol, loaded or unloaded in a motor vehicle or on your person.

Without a Concealed Pistol License, you are limited to transporting your pistol, unloaded, in a locked container, in the trunk of a vehicle only under the following circumstances:

1.	En route to or from a hunting or target shooting area, provided that you are in possession of a valid Michigan Hunting License or a member of an organization that has target shooting range facilities.
2.	Transportation from the place of purchase to your home, place of business or place of repair.
3.	In moving goods from one place of residence or business to another place of residence or business.
4.	To your local police agency, within 10 days of purchase, to obtain a Safety Inspection Certificate (Registration).

If your vehicle does not have a trunk, the pistol may be transported in the passenger compartment for the above purposes, (1 – 4), provided that it is unloaded, in a locked case and not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle.

NOTE – Full-time Peace Officers are not required to obtain a Concealed Pistol License.

When hunting with a pistol, the pistol must be carried in a holster or belt in plain view, on the outside of your clothing, unless you have a Concealed Pistol License for hunting or a non restricted Concealed Pistol License.

CONCEALED PISTOL - How do I apply for my Concealed Pistol License?

(YOU CAN OBTAIN A CPL APPLICATION PACKET FROM THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT)
Carrying Concealed Weapons (Effective July 1, 2001)

New Applicants

Complete the required 8 hour training course

Submit your completed UNSIGNED application with the following, to the Otsego County Clerk’s Office:

a.	Training Certificate
b.	Two (2) passport quality photos – Suggestions: K-Mart, Rite Aid
c.	Valid picture ID with current address
d.	$105.00 fee payable by Cash or Check (Check payable to: Otsego County Clerk)

Complete and sign the Mental Health form

Once you have completed the above steps, you will need to take your paid receipt to the Otsego County Jail to have your fingerprints taken. Printing hours: M-F, 9-12 & 1-4.

Allow for 2-4 months before the next step

You will receive a call, telling you what day and time to appear before the Board

Renewal Applicants

Complete 3 hours of review of the required training and have at least 1 hour of firing range time in the last 6 months. The Otsego County Concealed Pistol Licensing Board recommends that you contact your previous instructor, or any firearms instructor, for more detailed information.

Submit your completed UNSIGNED application with the following, to the Otsego County Clerk’s Office:

a.	Two (2) NEW passport quality photos – Suggestions: K-Mart, Rite Aid (Photos from the previous application process will not be accepted)
b.	Valid picture ID with current address
c.	Previous License
d.	$105.00 fee payable by Cash or Check (Check payable to: Otsego County Clerk)

Complete and sign the Mental Health form

Once you have completed the above steps, you will need to take your paid receipt to the Otsego County Jail to have your fingerprints taken. Printing hours: M-F, 9-12 & 1-4.

Allow for 2-4 months before the next step

The Otsego County Concealed Pistol Licensing Board will review renewal applications to select which applicants will need to be seen again.

PLEASE REFER TO YOUR CONCEALED PISTOL LICENSE APPLICATION PACKET OR WWW.MICHIGAN.GOV FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.