Restoring Your Firearm Rights in Michigan Starts With Knowing Where You Stand

Michigan law limits who can lawfully own a firearm after a conviction, and the rules depend on the offense, how long ago you finished your sentence, and whether federal law also applies. Possessing a firearm when you aren't legally allowed to is a serious crime, so guessing isn't an option. At CF Legal, we help people with past convictions find out whether they can get their gun rights back in Michigan and what it takes. Rick Hetherington, a former Flint police sergeant, brings firearms-law experience to these matters.

If you finished your sentence years ago and still can't tell whether you can legally own a gun, you're not alone. Most people who come to us have one of two concerns: they don't know where they stand, or they're afraid that filing the wrong paperwork will hurt their chances. Both are legitimate concerns, and both have clear answers.

How Firearm Rights Are Lost and Restored in Michigan

Under Michigan law, a felony conviction generally bars you from possessing a firearm. For most felonies, that bar ends three years after you finish your sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of fines. For "specified felonies," generally offenses involving force, weapons, certain drug crimes, or burglary, the wait is five years, and you must also ask the circuit court to restore your rights. Pardons and set-asides can change the analysis, depending on how the order is worded.

The Rules That Decide Where You Stand

Two sets of law apply, and both have to be satisfied before you can safely own a firearm.

State Law: Waiting Periods and Petitions

Whether your felony counts as a "specified felony" decides both the waiting period and whether you need a court petition. The clock generally starts only after everything in your sentence is finished, including jail or prison, probation, parole, and fines. One unpaid fine or open term can keep it from starting, so we confirm your completion date from court and corrections records.

Federal Law Is a Separate Question

Federal law separately bars people convicted of felonies from possessing firearms, and certain misdemeanor domestic violence convictions carry a federal bar too. Restoring rights under Michigan law may permit only certain types of firearms under the federal rule. A set-aside or pardon can affect the federal analysis depending on its wording. We look at both laws before we advise you.

What a Complete Restoration Plan Includes

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

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Reviewing Your Full Record

We review every conviction, dismissal, and sentence, and we obtain certified records to confirm what the court actually ordered. We also check for other disqualifiers, such as other convictions, pending charges, or protective orders, that could change your answer.

Confirming Your Completion Date

The waiting period runs from the day your sentence is fully complete. We pin down the exact dates for probation, parole, and fines, so you don't act too early. A petition filed before you're eligible can be denied, and Michigan limits how often you can file.

Preparing the Circuit Court Petition

When a court order is required, the petition is filed in the circuit court of the county where you live. A strong petition shows time since the offense, a clean record, steady work, and community ties. Michigan allows one petition per calendar year, so it should be complete the first time.

Looking at Set-Asides and Pardons

Michigan law says the firearm restrictions don't apply to a conviction that has been set aside or pardoned unless the order says otherwise. We check whether your conviction may be eligible for a set-aside and what your existing order actually says before you rely on it.

Addressing Federal Limits Honestly

We explain what restored Michigan rights allow and what federal law may still prohibit, so you don't take a step that creates a new federal problem. Our goal is to protect you from a new charge, not just to get a court order.

Concealed Pistol License Questions

Owning a firearm and carrying a concealed pistol are separate legal questions. A felony conviction can still bar a concealed pistol license even after your rights are restored, and certain misdemeanors carry their own waiting periods. We explain what is realistically available for your record.

Why Genesee County Clients Work With CF Legal

CF Legal has served Genesee County for over 30 years. Rick Hetherington spent 23 years with the Flint Police Department before becoming an attorney, retired as a sergeant in 2011, and is now a partner at the firm. He understands firearms law and how police and courts handle gun cases, and he handles his own client relationships directly. We're a multi-attorney firm with offices in Flint and Grand Blanc, our phones are answered directly, and we return calls within 24 hours.

Serving Flint, Genesee County, and Mid-Michigan

Genesee County residents file restoration petitions in the 7th Circuit Court, and Rick is familiar with the local courts from years spent inside them, first as an officer and now as a defense attorney. We work from CF Legal's Flint and Grand Blanc offices and represent clients throughout Genesee County and 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 Gun Rights Restoration in Michigan

  • How long after a felony can you own a gun in Michigan?

    For most felonies, the state prohibition generally ends three years after you complete your sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of fines. For specified felonies, generally offenses involving force, weapons, certain drug crimes, or burglary, the wait is five years, and a court must also restore your rights. Federal law is separate. Because the clock depends on exact completion dates, we confirm yours from the records.

  • Do I need to go to court to get my gun rights back?

    It depends on the offense. For most felonies, Michigan's prohibition generally ends after the waiting period without a petition. For specified felonies, you must also petition the circuit court in the county where you live, and Michigan allows only one petition per calendar year, so a prepared, complete filing matters. We determine which category applies to you before advising on next steps.

  • Does an expungement restore gun rights in Michigan?

    It can change the analysis, but it isn't automatic. Michigan law says the firearm restrictions don't apply to a conviction that has been set aside or pardoned unless the order expressly says you may not possess a firearm. The result depends on the wording of your order, whether you have other convictions, and federal law. We review your documents before you rely on one.

  • Can I get a concealed pistol license after a conviction?

    Often not. Michigan courts have held that a felony conviction bars a concealed pistol license even after the circuit court restored firearm rights. Certain misdemeanor convictions also carry waiting periods before you can apply. A concealed pistol license is its own question, and we explain what is realistically available based on your record.

  • Does restoring my rights in Michigan also fix the federal ban?

    Not necessarily. Federal law separately prohibits people convicted of felonies from possessing firearms, and restoration under Michigan law may permit only certain types of firearms under that rule. A set-aside or pardon can affect the federal analysis depending on its wording. Before you buy or possess any firearm, we confirm where you stand under both state and federal law.