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Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 8.3t (2026)

“Firearm” defined.

✓ current as of July 2026
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Revised Statutes of 1846


R.S. of 1846


8.3t “Firearm” defined.

Sec. 3t.

    The word "firearm", except as otherwise specifically defined in statute, includes any weapon which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive.

History: Add. 1959, Act 189, Imd. Eff. July 22, 1959 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 22, Eff. July 1, 2015

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 38 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1973–2025 · leading case: People v. Peals, 720 N.W.2d 196 (Mich. 2006).
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People v. Peals, 720 N.W.2d 196 (Mich. 2006). · cites it 12× “On appeal, he argued that the gun used in the robbery was temporarily inoperable because it was "jammed" and thus was not a "firearm" under the definition contained in MCL 8.3t. MCL 8.3t defines "firearm" in a manner that is very similar to the definition contained in MCL 750.”
People v. Hill, 446 N.W.2d 140 (Mich. 1989). · cites it 4× “The Court held that the firearm statute, MCL 8.3t; MSA 2.212(20), demonstrates a legislative intent to distinguish the firearm from other potentially dangerous weapons by describing its general construction and manner of use.”
People v. Ackah-Essien, 874 N.W.2d 172 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “[MCL 8.3t, as added by 1959 PA 189 .] Because the Legislature has excluded through both MCL 750.”
People v. Brown, 642 N.W.2d 382 (Mich. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “2 We note that the Huizenga Court interpreted the term “firearm” as defined in MCL 8.3t, and did not interpret the term “firearm” as defined in MCL 750.”
Advisory Opinion Re Constitutionality of 1972 PA 294, 1972 PA 294 (Mich. 1973). · cites it 2× “212(19); — firearm, MCLA 8.3t; MSA 2.212(20); — population, MCLA 8.”
People v. Oliver, 427 N.W.2d 898 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “I Defendant first argues that the magistrate clearly abused his discretion at the preliminary examination when he bound defendant over and that the trial court abused its discretion in denying defendant's motion to quash the information.”
People v. Broach, 337 N.W.2d 642 (Mich. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 5× “At the close of proofs, defense counsel claimed that the prosecutor did not prove that the weapon was operable and cited People v Stevens, 409 Mich 564 ; 297 NW2d 120 (1980), in support of his argument that the weapon had to be operable and capable of propelling a dangerous…”
People v. Brooks, 353 N.W.2d 118 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984). · cites it 2× “The felonious assault statute proscribes an assault "with a gun, revolver, pistol, knife, iron bar, club, brass knuckles or other dangerous weapon * * The felonious assault statute does not otherwise define those various weapons, so the Supreme Court looked to the general…”
People v. Sanchez, 296 N.W.2d 312 (Mich. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 2× “It is not a firearm since it did not meet the statutory definition of being capable of propelling a dangerous projectile, MCL 8.3t; MSA 2.212(20), nor could it have been altered within a reasonably short time to do so.”
People v. Huizenga, 439 N.W.2d 922 (Mich. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 6× “, pistol, must be capable of propelling some dangerous projectile: The word "firearm," except as otherwise specifically defined in the statutes, shall be construed to include may weapon from which a dangerous projectile may be propelled by using explosives, gas or air as a means…”
People v. Boswell, 291 N.W.2d 57 (Mich. Ct. App. 1980). “It is defendant’s position that since the gun was tempo *409 rarily inoperable because it was "jammed” it does not meet the definitional requirements of a "firearm” as set forth in MCL 8.3t; MSA 2.212(20), which provides: "Sec.”
People v. Gibson, 288 N.W.2d 366 (Mich. Ct. App. 1979). “” The definition of a firearm is contained in MCL 8.3t; MSA 2.212(20): "Sec. 3t. The word 'firearm’, except as otherwise specifically defined in the statutes, shall be construed to include any weapon from which a dangerous projectile *177 may be propelled by using explosives,…”
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