ATF update allows Michigan Concealed Pistol License holders to purchase firearms without a National Instant Criminal Background Check.

If you have considered getting your Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL), this is one more benefit to having one. While having a NICS check is typically quick and easy, the check can sometimes lead to delays in the purchase of a firearm. I had a short delay due to waiting for the NICS check to come back when I was purchasing a firearm. Even though the delay was short, it still took time, and made me wonder why the system was delaying me. This change may help alleviate the delay and uncertainty a purchaser may experience during a purchase.
On May 23, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released an open letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) stating that people who possess a valid Michigan CPL qualify for a NICS (National Instant Criminal background Check)-exempt transfer meaning that a NICS check is not required to purchase a firearm from the dealer.
Under the Brady Act, FFLs are required to initiate a NICS background check before transferring a firearm to a person who is not an FFL. Under the Brady Act, there are exceptions to the NICS check requirement, including an exception for holders of certain state permits that authorize them to possess, carry, or acquire firearms. This change does have several requirements that must be met for the exemption:
1. Buyers must complete and sign a Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473.
2. The FFL must verify the identity of the buyer through a government-issued photo identification (for example, a driver’s license) and confirm that the transferee is the person to whom the permit was issued.
3. The FFL must verify that the permit was issued or renewed not more than five years earlier by the state in which the transfer is to occur and that the permit has not expired under state law.
4. The FFL may either retain a copy of the transferee’s permit and attach it to the Form 4473, or record on the Form 4473 any identifying number from the permit, the date it was issued, and the date it expires.
While this change provides this exemption, an FFL may still complete a NICS check before the sale of the firearm if they so desire, but it is no longer required by law in Michigan.
Some people may argue that this change is dangerous and allows criminals to get firearms unchecked, but that is far from true. A thorough background check is done when a person applies for a CPL, and when the CPL is renewed every 5 years. Also, CPL holders are among the most law-abiding citizens, and permit holders are convicted of misdemeanors and felonies at less than one-sixth the rate of police officers.
I would argue that this is not the only reason to get a CPL, but it is certainly a nice benefit.

For more details, see the ATF’s open letter to FFL’s.

Do think you would die for what you love? Will you live for what you love?

Many people say they would die to protect the things they love, be it their country, their spouse, children, pets. There is no more noble act that a person can do than to sacrifice of themselves for others. In the Bible Jesus said “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). As a 25+ year Coast Guard military veteran, I have ,at times, willingly put my life in danger to help others in need. I have taken a Motor Lifeboat into surf conditions that were at, or exceeded, its rated capability. Through the darkness of night, and the unforgiving waters of the Pacific Northwest, I have Piloted the Motor Lifeboat across dangerous river bars to rescue people in the water, and vessels stranded in the ocean. I have towed those vessels back to safety, through those same harbor entrances, with waves so massive that I would loose sight of the vessel we were towing, and the towline (rope) would disappear into face of the massive wave behind us, as the wave passed between the vessels. I will say, while I was frightened and under intense stress, I was doing everything I was trained to do. I was doing what I spent countless hours training for; I trained so that I could continue to live for what I love.

I was willing to die, if absolutely, but I was trying by level best to make sure my crew, the people we were saving, and I lived to see those we love again. I couldn’t have successfully completed that mission if I had only sat through a one day class, and a few hours behind the wheel of a boat. It required years of honing my skills as a boat operator, and learning how to quickly prioritize and manage microevents, to manage the entire mission.

Law abiding Americans are blessed with the legal ability to defend themselves from predators (be they the two, or four legged type), as long as they are operating within the boundaries of the law, regardless of their training level. Often times people with little training are able to prevail against attacks, relying on instincts or just getting lucky. It would most certainly be better to not have to rely on a gut reaction or chance. An anonymous navy seal has been quoted as saying “Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training”. So what is your level of training? Are you really prepared to be successful in a deadly force encounter? If not you may need to find some quality training. Concealed Pistol License (CPL) training is extremely valuable, and a reasonable place to start. A quality CPL trainer that is using quality materials should be able to provide a solid foundation of firearm safety, ammunition knowledge, the fundamentals of pistol shooting, pistol shooting positions, firearms law, avoiding a criminal attack, and controlling a violent confrontation, and more. Starting with CPL training if good, but there is more that a person can do, and some is relatively inexpensive.

Hopefully you never find yourself in a situation where you need to defend yourself with deadly defensive force, but having quality training can make all the difference in the outcome of such a situation. Get good training so you don’t have to die for, but can live for, what you love.

if you are interested in getting quality training contact Damian Meyer at
upfirearmstraining@protonmail.com
or by phone (541) 272-2308