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Airgun law · United States

Are Airguns Legal in Michigan?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.

Tier 3: Moderate

Mainly age verification (typically 18+), with some local variance.

MI

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Michigan is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationNot a firearm, but…
Age ruleNo state rule
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleNo state process
TransportNo state rule
PreemptionState preempts

The rules in detail

Classification
Not a firearm, but…
Hybrid: NOT a firearm under the Penal Code (MCL 750.222), but IS treated as a firearm for hunting/wildlife (MCL 324.40102(12)). 2015 Air Gun Reclassification Package (PA 26-29).
Age rule
No state rule
No specific state-level airgun age rule.
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful for adults under penal code.
Transfer / sale
No state process
No state-imposed transfer process for non-hunting transactions.
Transport
No state rule
No state-specific transport rules.
Preemption
State preempts
EXPLICIT preemption covers 'pneumatic guns' (MCL 123.1102).

Hunting with an airgun

Deer allowed statewide in firearm seasons; small game and furbearers allowed; turkey only with pneumatic shotguns

Deer
Allowed with conditions
Allowed during firearm deer seasons if the pneumatic gun meets the firearm requirements for the season and zone
Turkey
Allowed with conditions
Allowed only with a pneumatic gun that is a muzzleloading shotgun or fires a fixed shotgun shell; airbows prohibited
Small game
Allowed with conditions
Allowed if the pneumatic gun meets the firearm requirements for the season and species (airbows not allowed)
Predators
Explicitly allowed
Allowed, including at night for raccoon, opossum, coyote, fox, skunk and weasel (WCO 2.5)
Other big game
Unresolved / not addressed
Unresolved
Caliber / FPE minimums
Deer: must meet firearm requirements for the season/zone (no separate air gun minimum stated after the Limited Firearms Deer Zone ended Sept. 12, 2026; the former zone rule required ≥ .35 caliber, externally charged)
Power source rules
Not specified (the external high-compression rule applied only in the Limited Firearms Deer Zone, eliminated Sept. 12, 2026)
Notes
Michigan treats pneumatic guns as firearms for hunting: they may be used for deer, small game and furbearers if they meet the firearm requirements for the season, species and zone. The Limited Firearms Deer Zone (and its .35 cal/PCP air rule) was eliminated Sept. 12, 2026. Airbows are prohibited for all game.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.