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Laws Prohibiting Certain Persons from Purchasing/Possessing Ammunition

Michigan prohibits handgun sellers from selling ammunition to any person the seller knows is under indictment for a felony or is prohibited by state law from possessing a firearm.1 See the Michigan Firearm Prohibitions section for a list of these individuals.

 Federal ammunition purchaser prohibitions also apply.

Regulation of Unreasonably Dangerous Ammunition

Michigan generally prohibits any person from manufacturing, distributing, selling or using armor-piercing ammunition.2 “Armor piercing ammunition” means a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and is constructed entirely, excluding the presence of traces of other substances, of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, or beryllium copper, and does not include:

  • Shotgun shot that is required by federal law or by a law of this state to be used for hunting purposes;
  • A frangible projectile designed for target shooting;
  • A projectile that the director of the Michigan Department of State Police finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes; or
  • A projectile or projectile core that the director of the Michigan Department of State Police finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes.3

The federal prohibition on certain kinds of armor-piercing ammunition also applies.

Michigan doesnot:

  • Require a license for the sale of ammunition;
  • Ensure that sellers of ammunition maintain records of the purchasers; or
  • Require a license to purchase or possess ammunition.

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  1. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 750.223(3). A “seller” is a person who sells, furnishes, loans, or gives a handgun to another person. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 750.222(g).[]
  2. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 750.224c(1).[]
  3. Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 750.224c(3)(a).[]