Did you know that Michigan is one of only three states that forbid its residence from owning Tasers? In Michigan the private ownership and use of a Taser is a felony punishable by up to 4 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to $2,000.00, or both, even when used in a lawful act of self-defense. This is true despite the fact that Tasers have been shown to be highly effective at incapacitating violent criminals and despite the fact that Tasers do not cause significant injury.

Did you know that Michigan state law prohibits the ownership of pepper spray products that exceed 2% concentration, even though the industry standard for such products is between 1% and 10% and even thought the injury potential for such products is extremely low?

Did you know that local governments (cities, townships, etc.) have the ability to pass ordinances against the possession and use of sharp weapons, even in lawful acts of self-defense and even when the person is in compliance with state law?

Did you know that state law in Michigan makes the carrying of a knife over three inches a felony only in conjunction with “…intent to use the same unlawfully against the person of another”. Yet many law enforcement officers continue to site people for the mere possession of such a tool, despite clear rulings from the court that mere possession of such a tool is not a violation of state law. That means a person with lawful intention, which includes self-defense, can carry a folding knife longer than three inches without violating state law. Yet they may be charged with a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years or by a fine of up to 2,500.00 dollars.

Did you know that state law in Michigan states, “Any person who shall sell or offer to sell, or any person who shall have in his possession any knife having the appearance of a pocket knife, the blade or blades of which can be opened by the flick of a button, pressure on a handle or other mechanical contrivance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not to exceed 1 year or by a fine of not to exceed $300.00, or both.” This means that individuals who can lawfully own firearms, even individual that are licensed by the State to carry a concealed pistol, can be prosecuted for using such devices, even when lethal force is lawful.

Did you know that some local police departments restrict the days and times that a resident can obtain a Permit to Purchase a handgun, even though state law requires such permits to be available during normal business hours? Some departments go so far as to restrict such times to a few hours once a week.

Did you know that the process to obtain a concealed pistol license can be arbitrary and unfair, even though State law requires that all residence have equal access to a uniformed process… that some local gun boards have abused and even exceeded their authority because they are opposed to the individual right to keep and bear arms.

Copyright 2007 Great Lakes Self-Defense Association

This page was last updated on 11/20/07