An individual may be faced with harsh penalties in Michigan if they are charged with Concealed Carrying of a gun or knife or more simply referred to as “CCW charges”. When faced with the possibility of such serious penalties, having a skilled attorney to help you prepare and defend your case is necessary to obtain the best possible outcome. Recently, police and prosecutors in have been trying to crack down on any weapons related crimes due to increased weapon violence in our country. Typically, most individuals charged with this crime have their firearm improperly stored in their vehicle.
According to the National Firearms Survey, in 2021, 32% of Americans said they own some type of firearm. This means that more than 81.4 million Americans own guns.
According to Michigan law, MCL 750.227, it is illegal for a person to conceal a gun or knife on their body or in their car without a proper permit or license. Specifically, it prohibits the concealing of “any dangerous weapon” on their person. Concealed means that another individual cannot see the weapon from normal contact. Many people are charged with CCW for improper transportation of a firearm or knife in their vehicle. Under this law, some examples of an open container would include:
- A pistol;
- A dagger;
- A dirk (long-bladed dagger);
- A stiletto (Slender or nettle-shaped dagger); or
- Any double-edged non-folding blade used for stabbing
However, Michigan Law carves out exemptions to this law, where a person can conceal and carry a weapon, including any of the following:
- It is in their house;
- It is in their store;
- It is on their other personal property;
- It is a hunting knife, intended for hunting; or
- The individual in question did not know that the weapon was on their person.
The penalties for a CCW Charge can be found below:
Type of Offense | Penalty | Michigan Law |
Carrying a Concealed Weapon | Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or by a fine of not more than $2,500. |
Additionally, a CCW conviction could lead to the loss of the right to own other firearms.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a CCW-related charge, it is imperative that you seek legal representation from a lawyer familiar with this area of law. Police and prosecutors will be working swiftly to build a compelling case against you. Finding a resolution that can keep someone’s criminal record clean and keep you out of jail may be available.
If you would like to set up a consultation to discuss your case further, please feel free to contact us or call (586) 413-7777 at your earliest convenience.