Michigan Bill Would Require Concealed-Carry Training to Buy Any Gun

A new Michigan bill would make every gun buyer, from a first-time handgun owner to someone picking up a used deer rifle, sit through the same roughly eight-hour course currently required for a concealed carry license.

Snapshot

House Bill 6477, sponsored by Democrat Rep. Sharon MacDonell, would require anyone obtaining a Michigan License to Purchase to first complete concealed-carry-level training before buying a firearm. Bearing Arms columnist Cam Edwards argues the mandate would apply even to buyers with no interest in carrying, adding cost and delay to rifle, shotgun, and handgun purchases alike.

Key points

• The requirement: HB 6477 would force purchasers to complete training that includes at least five hours of classroom instruction and three hours of range time with a minimum of 30 rounds fired, per the bill's text.
• Applies to all guns: The course requirement covers rifles and shotguns, not just handguns, meaning someone buying a hunting rifle would have to learn concealed-carry law first.
• Penalty stays harsh: Buying without a License to Purchase remains a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $100 fine, a penalty Edwards says clashes with Democrats' usual criticism of punishing low-level, non-violent offenses.
• Domestic violence concern: Edwards argues the bill would delay someone facing an abusive ex-partner from quickly buying a handgun for protection, since they'd need to find an instructor, complete the course, and wait on approval first.
• Possible backfire: Edwards suggests the law could push more people toward concealed carry licenses since they'd already have the training, or toward black-market purchases to avoid the added steps.

Quick take

Michigan gun owners should watch this one closely. Piling concealed-carry training onto every firearm purchase, including long guns bought for hunting, adds real cost and delay without addressing the background check system already in place. If Michigan Democrats push this through ahead of the 2027 session, it's worth contacting your state legislators now.

Read the full story: bearingarms.com