From Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Ann Arbor to Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula, Michigan buyers can order from JCM Armory and pick up at a dealer near home. We’re a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Joppa, Maryland, shipping firearms to local FFLs in 49 states (we do not ship to California). Michigan has its own paperwork for pistols, so plan ahead before you order one.
How buying a gun online works in Michigan
- Pick your firearm and your dealer. Add the gun to your cart and choose a licensed Michigan dealer at checkout. If you’re buying a pistol and don’t have a Michigan CPL, get your License to Purchase lined up before the gun arrives.
- We ship to your FFL. Once your dealer’s license is on file, we ship the firearm directly to them. Firearms are never shipped to a home address.
- Paperwork and pickup. You’ll complete ATF Form 4473. For a rifle or shotgun, the dealer runs an FBI NICS check. For a pistol, bring a valid Michigan concealed pistol license (CPL) or a License to Purchase from your local police or sheriff, and the sale is recorded for the state pistol database.
What to know about firearm transfers in Michigan
Pistols. Under MCL 28.422 and 28.422a, a Michigan resident buying a pistol needs either a License to Purchase from their local police department or county sheriff, or a valid Michigan concealed pistol license. A License to Purchase is void if not used within 30 days of issue. The pistol sale is recorded on a state form and entered into the Michigan State Police pistol entry database.
Rifles and shotguns. Since February 13, 2024, Michigan requires a license or a qualifying background check for all firearm purchases. A buyer purchasing a non-pistol firearm from a dealer who runs the federal NICS check is exempt from the separate License to Purchase.
Age. State law requires buyers to be 18 or older, and 21 for a pistol bought from a licensed dealer, matching federal dealer rules. Michigan is not a “point of contact” state; dealer checks go through the FBI’s NICS.
Buyers are responsible for knowing and following federal, state and local law. Laws change, so confirm anything specific with your Michigan dealer. This page is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Shipping and fees
- Free shipping on firearms priced $300 or more.
- Free ammunition shipping when your ammo subtotal reaches $750.
- Otherwise, a flat $15 shipping charge. Firearms and ammunition ship separately.
- Smokeless powder and primers carry a $40 hazmat fee per order.
- Your Michigan dealer sets their own transfer fee.
Popular categories for Michigan hunters and shooters
- Shotguns and slugs and shells for deer, birds and waterfowl
- Bolt-action rifles and rifle ammo
- Optics for deer blinds and the range
- Handguns and holsters (License to Purchase or CPL required)
- AR rifles and magazines
- Reloading supplies
Michigan deer seasons and legal firearms are set by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and rules can differ by zone. Check the DNR’s current hunting digest before buying for a specific season.
Buying a suppressor? Our Michigan silencer guide covers Michigan law, hunting with a suppressor and your Form 4473 or voluntary $0 Form 4 options. Pair your suppressor with subsonic ammo.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to buy a pistol in Michigan?
Yes. You need either a License to Purchase from your local police or sheriff, used within 30 days, or a valid Michigan concealed pistol license (CPL).
Do I need a License to Purchase for a rifle or shotgun?
Not when buying from a licensed dealer who runs a federal NICS background check on you. The dealer still completes ATF Form 4473.
Can a gun be shipped to my house in Michigan?
No. Firearms ship only to a licensed FFL dealer, where you complete the paperwork and background check before pickup.
How much does shipping to Michigan cost?
Firearms priced $300 or more ship free, ammo ships free at a $750 ammo subtotal, and other orders ship for a flat $15. Powder and primers add a $40 hazmat fee per order.
Do you ship to every state?
We ship firearms to local FFL dealers in 49 states. We do not ship to California.