Michigan 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 lower receivers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Michigan?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF and are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in the state of Michigan.

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Michigan?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Michigan you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver we offer  custom engraving for our lowers.

Key Gun Laws in Michigan

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Michigan.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

The state of Michigan requires individuals to be 21 years of age in order to legally purchase a handgun. For long guns, the minimum age for purchase is 18 years old and there is no minimum age to possess rifles or shotguns. However, minors may possess firearms. All the other normal exceptions apply for minors in terms for when they’re allowed to possess or transport a handgun: when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.

All firearm purchases require a background check including private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Michigan is a partial point of contact for the NICS and their dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI’s NICS. If residents have a handgun purchase ID card or CCW permit it exempts them from a background check when purchasing a new gun at an FFL store.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Michigan is a “shall issue” state which means local authorities handle the CCW license applications, and background check process to determine whether a CCW permit should be given to any individual citizen or not. Open and concealed carry are both legal in Michigan. Open carry is legal for residents at least 18 years old and firearms used in open carry must be registered in the carrier’s name. Non-residents must have a valid concealed carry license from their home state in order to conceal or open carry.

Concealed carry licenses in Michigan come in the form of “CPL’s” or a Concealed Pistol License. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and complete a state approved firearms training course. For more details on Michigan’s carry conceal policies check out the state’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

While the state of Michigan does not restrict “assault weapons” it does have a ban on SBR’s (short barreled rifles) and SBS’s (short barreled shotguns). However, silencers and AOW’s (any other weapon) can be legally owned if properly purchased and their respective Forms are filed with the ATF to follow federal regulations.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

There are no magazine capacity restrictions in Michigan. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the SureFeed magazine which we have in 20 and 30 rounder options.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

There are also no safe storage laws mandated in Michigan though dealers are required to sell firearms with a cable lock and gun case, or box which most manufacturers do anyway.

However, you should still exercise caution and can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are 5five home firearm storage options.

Self-Defense

Michigan is a castle doctrine state which means there is no legal duty to retreat when at home if met with a threat but only when someone has broken into your home. However, when outside the home there is also no duty to retreat before responding with lethal force in the name of self-defense as there is a stand your ground law in place in Michigan.

Ammunition Purchase

Michigan doesn’t require a license for the sale, purchase, or possession of ammo. Nor does it require sellers to maintain a sales record. But it does prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of “unreasonably dangerous ammunition.” Their definition of unreasonably dangerous ammo includes the following: armor piercing rounds, bullets constructed of substances other than; tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or frangibles. In order to buy ammo in Massachusetts, buyers must be at least 18 years old to purchase long gun ammunition. To purchase handgun ammo buyers must be at least 21 years of age. All online bulk ammo sales require buyers to be at least 21 years old.

Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!

Michigan residents are completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. It's the perfect state to take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep and bear arms. That includes 80% Arms! Grab a  jig and some buddies to enjoy that freedom together and let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.