According to MCL 28.422, Sec 2.1, "a person shall not purchase, carry, possess, or transport a pistol in this state without first having obtained a license for the pistol...."

Prior to obtaining a pistol, an individual must apply in person at the Sheriff's Office for a License to Purchase a Pistol. A license to purchase is not needed for an individual with a CCW license. However, a NICS check must be completed by the FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) prior to the transfer of the firearm.

The Sheriff's Office will check for any criminal record at both the state and national level. The applicant must take a brief Basic Pistol Safety test and score at least a 70%, before they will swear before our Records staff notaries that they meet the statutory requirements to own a pistol.

The License to Purchase a Pistol form must be completed even though the applicant may already have possession of a pistol, such as through an inheritance. Federal firearms licensed dealers are not exempt from this section of the law and must also get a license any time they purchase/acquire a pistol from an individual or another gun dealer. There is an exemption only for dealers purchasing pistols directly from the manufacturer or wholesaler.

A License to Purchase a Pistol is valid for 10 days to purchase a pistol. The seller must sign the license and keep one copy for his/her records. An individual must keep a copy and return two copies to the Sheriff's Office within 10 days of purchasing the pistol.

These forms are licenses to purchase a pistol and the purpose is not to circumvent the required NICS (National Instant Check System) check when buying a shotgun or rifle from an FFL dealer.

Kalamazoo County
Sheriff's Office
1500 Lamont
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 383-8821

  Sheriff:
    Richard C Fuller
  Undersheriff:
    Paul G Matyas