How to Sell a Gun in Michigan (2026 Legal Guide)

Sell My Gun - Key Points

• Michigan requires background checks on all gun transactions, including private sales.
• Handgun sales in the state must be reported to law enforcement.
• Only Michigan residents can buy a handgun in Michigan.
• You can quickly sell your gun and get a quote right now with Cash for Arms.

Where to Sell Guns in Michigan

Option 1: Cash for Arms

One of the easiest ways to sell your gun in Michigan is to sell it to Cash for Arms. As a national FFL or federally licensed gun dealer, we are a legal option in all 50 states.

Benefits: 

• Among the highest offers with a best price guarantee.
• Multiple secure payment options for you.
• Fast offers that often land within hours.
• Option to sell your gun from home.
• The safety of selling to an FFL.
• An easy three-step process. 
• Top-rated service.

How to Sell Your Gun to Cash for Arms

1. Submit your gun details here.
2. Accept our offer and let us arrange shipping.
3. Get paid the same day we confirm your gun.

Need to sell a lot of guns? Try our special liquidation service in Michigan. We buy large gun collections, estates, and even store inventory. Contact a member of our team today for a free quote.

Option 2: Michigan Gun Stores

If you need cash the same day and want an in-person transaction, local gun shops are an option. Not all gun stores will buy used guns, however. They also tend to make low offers, sometimes as low as 35% of the gun’s market value.

How to Sell to a Michigan Gun Store

1. Find trustworthy gun shops nearby.
2. Call each one to ask if they buy used guns.
3. Bring your unloaded gun to them for appraisal.
4. Negotiate a higher price or take their offer.
5. Sell the gun to the one with the best offer.

Option 3: Michigan Pawn Shops

Selling a gun to a pawn shop should be a last resort. Pawn shops generally offer the lowest prices for guns, sometimes at just 30% of real value. 

How to Sell to a Michigan Pawn Shop

Use the same steps as for gun stores.

Option 4: Private Individuals

This refers to eligible gun buyers who aren’t FFLs (licensed dealers). They typically take the most legwork from you as a seller, but can pay more than local gun stores or pawnshops.

Your private buyer will have to meet several requirements for the sale, including an FPL/CPL and possibly a PSR. We'll explain all of these in the gun laws section later.

Michigan also requires background checks for private gun sales. This means that if you sell to a private party, you have to pay an FFL to run the background check on him anyway.

How to Sell to a Michigan Private Party

1. List your gun for sale.
2. Verify your buyer has proper documents and IDs for a gun purchase. 
3. Verify your buyer is allowed to buy a gun in Michigan.
4. Find a local FFL or gun store for the background check.
5. Meet your buyer at your chosen FFL’s premises.
6. Complete all necessary forms to start the background check.
7. Once the check clears, exchange the gun for payment to complete the sale.

Michigan Firearm Laws for Gun Sales

Universal Background Check Requirements

After the 2023 shooting at MSU, Michigan implemented universal background checks on gun sales. This includes private gun sales and firearm sales or transfers to family members.

It also applies to transactions for both handguns and long guns. The only exceptions to universal background checks include:

• Sales to FFLs
• Sales to law enforcement
• Sales of antique guns

ID Requirements

You must have a Michigan driver’s license or state ID to buy a gun in Michigan.

Residency Requirements

You must reside in Michigan to buy a handgun, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun in the state.

Non-residents can only purchase regular long guns in Michigan.

Permit Requirements

Gun buyers in Michigan need a valid Firearms Purchase License (FPL) or a Concealed Pistol License (CPL).

This goes for both handguns and long guns, but not antiques. There are also some exceptions to this law.

• The FPL is good for 30 days and ranges from $0 to $10.
• A CPL is good for 5 years and more complicated to get. It costs around $115, but this can also vary.

Pistol Sale Requirements

Anyone buying a pistol in Michigan must fill out a Pistol Sales Record (PSR).

Gun Registration in Michigan

Michigan requires handguns to be registered, but not long guns. The PSR must be submitted to law enforcement within 10 days of purchase.

Even when handguns are inherited, they must be licensed and reported to Michigan State Police, unless the owner has a CPL.

Waiting Periods

Michigan does not currently impose a waiting period for gun sales.

Who Can't Buy Guns in Michigan?

Those prohibited from owning and buying a gun in Michigan include:

• Those convicted of a felony
• Those convicted on a domestic violence charge
• Those with pending felony charges
• Those with protective orders
• Those with mental illnesses that resulted in them being considered “legally incapacitated”
• Those with mental illnesses that resulted in involuntary commitment
• Those subjected to an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)
• Those under the age of 18 (for long guns)
• Those under the age of 21 (for handguns)
• Those without a “Firearms Purchase License”
• Those with certain misdemeanor convictions

You can learn more in the GCA list of prohibited persons and MCL 750.224f.

Sell Your Gun in Michigan, Fast and Easy

Selling a gun in Michigan can be fairly straightforward as long as you follow the laws.

Of course, if you want to skip the headache of finding and dealing with a private buyer, you can just sell to us. We provide easy sales that are guaranteed legal and often highly profitable for sellers like you.

Show us your gun here to get started. Or contact us at 904-977-5477 to learn more.