LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan could become the 30th state to allow permitless concealed carry under a package of Senate bills introduced this week by Republican lawmakers.

Senate Bills 406–410, backed by Sens. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe), Lana Theis (R-Brighton), Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton), and Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), would eliminate the state’s concealed pistol license (CPL) requirement and allow adults not otherwise barred from owning a firearm to carry one concealed without a permit or training, according to WWMT News Channel 3.

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“Michigan’s concealed carry laws force people to jump through unnecessary hoops and pay bureaucratic fees simply for the ability to exercise their constitutional rights,” Bellino said in a statement.
“This package would scrap our burdensome concealed carry law and support responsible gun owners who wish to safely defend themselves and their loved ones.”

The bills would also remove CPL-specific sentencing guidelines, loosen firearm transport rules, and eliminate current restrictions on carrying in so-called “gun-free zones,” including schools and government buildings.

Under current Michigan law, residents must be at least 21, complete a safety course, submit fingerprints, and pay a $100 fee to obtain a CPL. The license is valid for five years, with a $115 renewal cost.

Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert said most gun crimes his office prosecutes involve illegal weapons. Still, he expressed concern about eliminating the training requirement.

 “The primary problem with the law, if there is one, is if they don’t require training,” Gilbert said.

Certified firearms instructor Jonathan Gold agreed, saying that CPL courses help clarify legal responsibilities, de-escalation tactics, and the proper use of force.

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“People need to know, this isn’t John Wick. This isn’t a video game. You can’t take a bullet back,” Jonathan Gold, a certified firearms instructor and CPL holder, said. “If I have to take a hunter safety class before I take a high-powered rifle into the woods, shouldn’t we at least have a basic standard for people carrying firearms around other people every day?”

The bill package is under consideration in the Republican-led Senate.