THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931

750.224e Conversion of semiautomatic firearm to fully automatic firearm; prohibited acts; penalty; applicability; "fully automatic firearm", "licensed collector", and "semiautomatic firearm" defined. Sec. 224e.

(1) A person shall not knowingly do any of the following: (a) Manufacture, sell, distribute, or possess or attempt to manufacture, sell, distribute, or possess a device that is designed or intended to be used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. (b) Demonstrate to another person or attempt to demonstrate to another person how to manufacture or install a device to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm. (2) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years, or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. (3) This section does not apply to any of the following: (a) A police agency of this state, or of a local unit of government of this state, or of the United States. (b) An employee of an agency described in subdivision (a), if the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession or attempted manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession or demonstration or attempted demonstration is in the course of his or her official duties as an employee of that agency. (c) The armed forces. (d) A member or employee of the armed forces, if the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession or attempted manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession or demonstration or attempted demonstration is in the course of his or her official duties as a member or employee of the armed forces. (e) A licensed collector who possesses a device that is designed or intended to be used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm that was lawfully owned by that licensed collector before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section. This subdivision does not permit a licensed collector who lawfully owned a device that is designed or intended to be used to convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm before the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section to sell or distribute or attempt to sell or distribute that device to another person after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section. (4) As used in this section: (a) "Fully automatic firearm" means a firearm employing gas pressure or force of recoil to mechanically eject an empty cartridge from the firearm after a shot, and to load the next cartridge from the magazine, without renewed pressure on the trigger for each successive shot. (b) "Licensed collector" means a person who is licensed under chapter 44 of title 18 of the United States code to acquire, hold, or dispose of firearms as curios or relics. (c) "Semiautomatic firearm" means a firearm employing gas pressure or force of recoil to mechanically eject an empty cartridge from the firearm after a shot, and to load the next cartridge from the magazine, but requiring renewed pressure on the trigger for each successive shot.

History: Add. 1990, Act 321, Eff. Mar. 28, 1991

Michigan's Law on Converting Firearms: A Layman's Guide

In Michigan, under Act 328 of 1931, Section 224e, it's vital to understand the laws related to converting firearms from semiautomatic to fully automatic. This is crucial information for firearm owners, collectors, and law enforcement agencies alike.

What's Not Allowed?

Michigan law strictly prohibits a range of activities concerning the conversion of semiautomatic firearms to fully automatic ones. It's illegal to:

1. Create, sell, distribute, or possess any device that can convert semiautomatic firearms to fully automatic, or even attempt to do these actions.
2. Demonstrate or attempt to show someone else how to create or install such a conversion device.

Violating these laws results in serious consequences. Offenders could be charged with a felony, leading to a prison sentence of up to 4 years, a fine up to $2,000, or potentially both.

Who Does This Law Not Apply To?

Certain individuals and groups are exempt from this law:

1. Police agencies at the local, state, or federal level.
2. Employees of the above-mentioned agencies performing these actions in the line of their official duties.
3. The armed forces and their members or employees conducting these activities as part of their official duties.
4. Licensed collectors who owned a conversion device before the law took effect. However, these collectors are still not allowed to sell or distribute such a device after the law's effective date.

Understanding the Definitions

It's essential to understand what the law means when referring to certain types of firearms:

• Fully Automatic Firearm: A firearm that uses gas pressure or recoil force to eject an empty cartridge and load the next one from the magazine, firing continuously without needing to press the trigger for each shot.
• Licensed Collector: A person with a license under chapter 44 of title 18 of the United States code to obtain, hold, or dispose of firearms seen as curios or relics.
• Semiautomatic Firearm: A firearm that also uses gas pressure or recoil force to eject an empty cartridge and load the next one, but requires the trigger to be pressed for each shot.

Remember, knowing the law keeps you on the right side of it. Be informed and use firearms responsibly.