Crime & Safety

Carrying Firearms into Banks Illegal, With Exceptions

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police advises on carrying concealed firearms into banks and credit unions.

Well, winter has shown up. Please remember to give yourself extra travel time and enjoy Michigan’s winter wonderland.

Dave Iowe emailed a question about open carrying a pistol or using a concealed pistol license (CPL) regarding banks and credit unions.

This is one of those questions that come up from time to time, regarding a law or laws that have undergone recent changes. To make sure I convey the right information, I contacted Sgt. Aimee Maike at the Michigan State Police Headquarters Legal Resource and Education Unit to help me answer this question.

First, MCL 750.234d(1) prohibits a person from possessing a firearm on the premises of certain entities, unless the person is exempt from the section.

MCL 750.234d(1)(a) prohibits a person from possessing a firearm on the premises of a "depository financial institution or a subsidiary or affiliate of a depository financial institution." Accordingly, a person is prohibited from carrying a firearm on the premises of a bank or credit union, unless the person is exempt. This applies whether the person is carrying a concealed pistol or non-concealed pistol; however, individuals carrying a concealed pistols illegally may be charged with violating Michigan's carrying a concealed weapon statute, MCL 750.227, in addition to the charge for violating MCL 750.234d.

MCL 750.234(2) lists the people who are exempt from MCL 750.234d(1). The following people are exempt: (1) A person who owns, is employed by or contracted by, an entity listed in MCL 750.234d(1) if the possession of the firearm is to provide security services for that entity. (2) A peace officer. (3) A person licensed by Michigan or another state to carry a concealed weapon. (4) A person who possesses a firearm on the premises with the permission of the owner or an agent of the owner of that entity. Accordingly, a person who possess a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) may lawfully carry a pistol, concealed or non-concealed, on the premises of a bank or credit union.

Right now, Dave might be asking himself about the pistol free zones that apply to Michigan CPL holders. MCL 28.425o prohibits a Michigan CPL holder, unless exempt, from carrying a concealed pistol on the premises of the entities listed in the statute. Banks and credit unions are not included in this list so a Michigan CPL holder may legally carry a concealed pistol on the premises.

Lastly, the above information is subject to a private property owner’s right to prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on the premises.

Please use the Michigan Legislature’s website to see the various laws quoted in their entirety.

Sgt. Aimee Maike, joined the department in 1998. She worked at the Corunna Post before being promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Michigan State Police Headquarters - Office of the Director. Maike earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from MSU College of Law in 2007 and had been admitted to the State Bar of Michigan. She also has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and has worked for Price Waterhouse before becoming a member of the Michigan State Police.

If you have a question, please send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or mail it to the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI 48114.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.