Sec. 239.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) and subject to section 239a, all pistols, weapons, or devices carried, possessed, or used contrary to this chapter are forfeited to the state and shall be turned over to the department of state police for disposition as determined appropriate by the director of the department of state police or his or her designated representative.
(2) The director of the department of state police shall dispose of firearms under this section by 1 of the following methods:
(a) By conducting a public auction in which firearms received under this section may be purchased at a sale conducted in compliance with section 4708 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.4708, by individuals authorized by law to possess those firearms.
(b) By destroying them.
(c) By any other lawful manner prescribed by the director of the department of state police.
(3) Before disposing of a firearm under this section, the director of the department of state police shall do both of the following:
(a) Determine through the law enforcement information network whether the firearm has been reported lost or stolen. If the firearm has been reported lost or stolen and the name and address of the owner can be determined, the director of the department of state police shall provide 30 days' written notice of his or her intent to dispose of the firearm under this section to the owner, and allow the owner to claim the firearm within that 30-day period if he or she is authorized to possess the firearm.
(b) Provide 30 days' notice to the public on the department of state police website of his or her intent to dispose of the firearm under this section. The notice shall include a description of the firearm and shall state the firearm's serial number, if the serial number can be determined. The department of state police shall allow the owner of the firearm to claim the firearm within that 30-day period if he or she is authorized to possess the firearm. The 30-day period required under this subdivision is in addition to the 30-day period required under subdivision (a).
(4) The department of state police is immune from civil liability for disposing of a firearm in compliance with this section.
History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.239 ;-- Am. 1949, Act 168, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1964, Act 215, Eff. Aug. 28, 1964 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 294, Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 2010
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 750 - Michigan Penal Code
Act 328 of 1931 - The Michigan Penal Code (750.1 - 750.568)
328-1931-XXXVII - Chapter XXXVII Firearms (750.222...750.239a)
Section 750.222 - Definitions.
Section 750.222a - “Double-Edged, Nonfolding Stabbing Instrument” Defined.
Section 750.223 - Selling Firearms and Ammunition; Violations; Penalties; “Licensed Dealer” Defined.
Section 750.224d - Self-Defense Spray or Foam Device.
Section 750.225 - Repealed. 1993, Act 254, Imd. Eff. Nov. 29, 1993.
Section 750.226a - Repealed. 2017, Act 96, Eff. Oct. 11, 2017.
Section 750.227 - Concealed Weapons; Carrying; Penalty.
Section 750.227a - Pistols; Unlawful Possession by Licensee.
Section 750.229 - Pistols Accepted in Pawn, by Second-Hand Dealer or Junk Dealer.
Section 750.230 - Firearms; Altering, Removing, or Obliterating Marks of Identity; Presumption.
Section 750.231a - Exceptions to MCL 750.227(2); "Antique Firearm" Defined.
Section 750.231b - Sale and Safety Inspection; Persons Exempt.
Section 750.232 - Repealed. 2017, Act 95, Eff. Oct. 11, 2017.
Section 750.234e - Brandishing Firearm in Public; Applicability; Violation as Misdemeanor; Penalty.
Section 750.235a - Parent of Minor Guilty of Misdemeanor; Conditions; Penalty; Defense; Definitions.
Section 750.236 - Spring Gun, Trap or Device; Setting.
Section 750.236a - Computer-Assisted Shooting; Prohibited Acts; Definitions.
Section 750.236b - Computer-Assisted Shooting; Prohibited Conduct; Definitions.
Section 750.236c - Violation of MCL 750.236a or 750.236b; Penalty; Forfeiture.
Section 750.238 - Search Warrant.
Section 750.239 - Forfeiture of Weapons; Disposal; Immunity From Civil Liability.