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Michigan Firearm Rights Restoration

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Michigan

If you live in Michigan and have lost your right to own or possess a firearm, there are two primary legal paths to restoring your rights: expungement of criminal convictions and firearm rights restoration petitions.

Expungement

The Best Path to Restore Firearm Rights in Michigan

For most people, expungement is the fastest and most effective way to achieve firearm rights restoration in Michigan. Under Michigan law, individuals with no more than three felony convictions may qualify to have those felonies expunged—provided the offenses are not excluded crimes.

Crimes Not Eligible for Expungement

Certain convictions cannot be expunged, including:

  • Criminal sexual conduct offenses
  • Offenses with maximum possible penalties of 20 years or more (such as armed robbery or murder)

Additional Expungement Rules

  • Multiple convictions that occurred within a 24-hour period may sometimes be treated as one offense.
  • Once your Michigan convictions are expunged, the federal prohibition on firearm possession is also lifted. This means you do not need to file a separate federal petition.

Not sure if you qualify? Use our Michigan Firearm Rights Eligibility Calculator to find out today.

See If You’re Eligible
Expungement: The Best Path to Restore Firearm Rights in Michigan
Waiting Periods Before Applying

Firearm Rights Restoration Petitions in Michigan

If an expungement is not possible, the next step is a firearm rights restoration petition. These petitions are filed in the circuit court of the county where you live. They may be necessary if:

Your convictions cannot be expunged under Michigan law.
Your disqualifying convictions occurred in another state or under federal law.
Take the first step by checking if you qualify with our Firearm Rights Restoration Eligibility Calculator.
Start Your Gun Rights Restoration

Automatic Restoration vs. Petition Requirement

  • For non-violent, non-drug, non-firearm, and non-burglary offenses, Michigan law automatically restores firearm rights three years after the completion of your sentence.
  • For more serious crimes—including violent felonies, felony drug crimes, firearm-related offenses, and burglaries—automatic restoration does not apply. Instead, you must file a petition.

Eligibility Requirements

To file a petition for firearm rights restoration in Michigan, you must:

  • Wait at least five years after completing your sentence (probation, parole, or imprisonment).
  • Prove to the court that you are not a danger to public safety.
  • Demonstrate that you can be trusted with the possession of a firearm.

Michigan vs. Federal Firearm Rights Restoration

It’s important to understand the difference between state and federal firearm rights restoration:

A successful state petition restores your rights under Michigan law.
However, if you also have a federal prohibition, you may need to seek federal restoration as well.

The good news: a successful Michigan state restoration significantly strengthens your case for federal approval.

Michigan vs. Federal Firearm Rights Restoration

Check Your Eligibility

Restoring your firearm rights in Michigan is possible—but it requires a clear legal strategy. At Armed Again, we guide clients through both expungements and firearm rights restoration petitions, helping you take back your constitutional rights lawfully and permanently.

Check your eligibility here to see whether expungement or a firearm rights restoration petition is right for you.