Michigan Firearms Attorney with a Background No Other Flint Firm Can Match

When your firearm rights are on the line — whether from a CPL revocation, a felony firearm charge, or a self-defense claim under investigation — you need a firearms attorney Michigan residents can count on to understand these cases from the inside out. Rick Hetherington is a former law enforcement officer who spent years applying Michigan firearms law in the field before he ever applied it in a courtroom. That background changes how a defense is built.

Michigan gun law is technical, layered, and unforgiving. A firearms charge or CPL denial can cost you your right to carry, your career, and in some cases your freedom. The attorneys at CF Legal have handled these cases for decades across Genesee County and mid-Michigan — and Rick's law enforcement experience gives us a perspective on firearms cases that no competitor in this market can offer.

Why Rick Hetherington's Law Enforcement Background Matters in a Firearms Case

Rick Hetherington spent years as a police officer before becoming an attorney. He knows how firearms investigations are conducted, how officers document a scene, and how prosecutors build a case from that documentation. When he reviews a gun charge or a self-defense claim, he isn't learning the process from a textbook — he's seen it from the other side of the badge.

 

That background translates directly into a sharper defense. Rick understands the specific decisions officers make at the scene, the discretion involved in those decisions, and where the investigation may have gone wrong. For clients facing firearms charges in Genesee County, that matters.

Michigan Firearms and CPL Cases We Handle

CF Legal represents clients across the full range of Michigan firearms law matters — from CPL applications and revocations to serious felony firearm charges.

Michigan CPL Applications and Revocations

Obtaining a concealed pistol license in Michigan involves a specific statutory process, and a denial or revocation can feel sudden and unexplained. We help clients respond to CPL denials, challenge revocations, and understand what disqualifying factors may be in play. If a prior arrest, a dismissed charge, or an administrative error is standing between you and your CPL, we can work through it with you.

Federal Firearms Disqualifications

Federal law imposes its own set of firearms prohibitions that operate independently of Michigan law. A prior conviction, a domestic violence misdemeanor, or certain mental health adjudications can trigger a federal firearms disability — even when the underlying event feels distant or minor. We help clients understand whether a federal disqualification applies and what legal options, if any, exist to address it.

Firearms Charges in Michigan Courts

Transferring or hiding assets before filing, which can create legal issues.

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Felony Firearm Charges

Michigan's felony firearm statute carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence, consecutive to any underlying felony — meaning it cannot run at the same time as another sentence. It is one of the most serious add-on charges a defendant can face. We examine every element of the prosecution's case: whether the firearm was legally possessed, whether the charge was properly applied, and whether any procedural errors in the arrest or investigation create grounds for challenge.

Prohibited Person in Possession

If you have been charged with possessing a firearm as a prohibited person — whether due to a prior felony conviction, a personal protection order, or another disqualifying event — the stakes are high and the defense is fact-specific. We look carefully at the underlying disqualification, the circumstances of possession, and whether the charge can be reduced or contested at trial.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a License

Michigan law requires a valid CPL to carry a concealed pistol. Being charged with carrying concealed without a license is a felony in most circumstances. We assess whether the stop and search were lawful, whether the weapon was actually concealed as defined by statute, and whether any exceptions or defenses apply to your specific situation.

Weapons in Restricted Locations

Even valid CPL holders are prohibited from carrying in certain locations — schools, courthouses, stadiums, and other restricted zones. A charge for carrying in a prohibited location can result in CPL revocation and criminal penalties. We examine the specific location, the signage requirements under Michigan law, and whether the prosecution can meet its burden.

Improper Transportation of a Firearm

Michigan has specific rules governing how firearms must be transported in a vehicle, and violations are charged more often than most people expect. We handle charges involving unloaded and cased requirements, trunk transport rules, and situations where a traffic stop turned into a firearms charge based on how a weapon was stored in the vehicle.

Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine Claims

Michigan law recognizes both Stand Your Ground and the Castle Doctrine as legal protections for individuals who use force in self-defense. These are not automatic defenses — they must be established through the specific facts of the incident, and prosecutors will work to dismantle them. Rick Hetherington's law enforcement background gives him direct insight into how these incidents are investigated from the moment officers arrive on scene. If you used a firearm in self-defense and are now facing charges, that experience is exactly what your defense needs.

Serving Firearms Defense Clients Across Mid-Michigan

CF Legal represents clients facing firearms charges and CPL issues throughout Genesee County and the surrounding region. Our primary office is in Flint, and we also serve clients from Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, Fenton, Saginaw, and the greater mid-Michigan area. If you are dealing with a gun charge or CPL matter, geography should not be a barrier to getting experienced representation.

What Sets CF Legal Apart in Michigan Firearms Cases

  • Rick Hetherington is a former police officer with direct, practical knowledge of how firearms investigations are conducted and documented
  • Craig Fiederlein brings more than 30 years of criminal defense experience in Genesee County courts
  • A former firm partner is now a sitting judge — a signal of the firm's standing in the local legal community
  • Multi-attorney firm with full litigation capability, not a solo practitioner handling firearms cases as a side matter
  • Phones answered directly; 24-hour return call commitment for clients facing active charges
  • Three-office footprint across Flint, Grand Blanc, and Frankfort for clients across mid-Michigan

Local Court Familiarity

Legal outcomes can depend on local processes; working with someone familiar with Will County courts helps avoid unnecessary delays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Firearms Law

  • What disqualifies someone from getting a CPL in Michigan?

    Michigan law disqualifies applicants who have been convicted of certain felonies, have a felony charge pending, have been dishonorably discharged from the military, are subject to a personal protection order, or have been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, among other grounds. Federal law adds its own layer of disqualifications that can apply independently. If you have been denied a CPL or had one revoked, an attorney can review the specific basis and advise whether a legal challenge is available.

  • Can I be charged with a firearms offense even if I have a valid CPL?

    Yes. A valid CPL does not protect you from charges related to carrying in a prohibited location, improper transportation, or using a firearm in circumstances that don't qualify for a self-defense claim. CPL holders are still subject to all applicable Michigan and federal firearms laws, and a CPL can be revoked following a criminal conviction or other disqualifying event.

  • What is the difference between Stand Your Ground and the Castle Doctrine in Michigan?

    Michigan's Castle Doctrine provides that you have no duty to retreat when you are in your own home and use force to defend yourself against an intruder. Stand Your Ground extends a similar protection in any location where you have a legal right to be — meaning you are not required to retreat before using force if you reasonably believe you face imminent death or great bodily harm. Both doctrines can be raised as defenses, but they must be supported by the specific facts of the incident and are subject to prosecutorial challenge.

  • What is the penalty for a felony firearm charge in Michigan?

    A felony firearm conviction in Michigan carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence. That sentence runs consecutively — meaning it is served after, not at the same time as, any other sentence imposed for the underlying felony. It cannot be suspended, and probation cannot be substituted for it. The mandatory nature of the penalty makes early, experienced legal representation critical.

  • Should I talk to the police if I used a firearm in self-defense?

    You should contact an attorney before making any statement to law enforcement, even if you believe your actions were fully justified. What you say in the immediate aftermath of an incident — even something that seems straightforward — can be used against you and can complicate a self-defense claim. Michigan law gives you the right to remain silent. Exercise it, and let your attorney guide the process from there.