A new law went into effect today that brings Michigan one step closer to becoming a true shall-issue concealed-carry state. Most notably, the law does away with county gun boards—whose authority to deny permits based on their own discretion created inconsistencies between counties in how permits were issued—as well as the requirement that an applicant submit to an in-person interview. The new process transfers responsibility for issuing licenses to county clerks, and gives state police 45 days to notify the clerks of denials based on factors such as age, criminal history or mental illness. If they fail to do so, the clerks are required to approve the application.
The law also decreases the maximum wait time for renewals from 60 days to 30 days, and requires temporary emergency permits be granted to applicants who have obtained a protection order or are determined by county sheriffs to be in danger.
