Michigan Open Carry
founded March 2009
is the premier organization in Michigan promoting the lawful open carry of a holstered handgun
- started by a group of people on the Michigan Forum of OpenCarry.org (OCDO)
- OCDO was started by John Pierce and Mike Stollenwerk in 2004
– These men are responsible for revitalizing the growing practice of the open carry of a handgun.
About Michigan Open Carry
Michigan Open Carry, Inc. (MOC) is a Michigan gun rights organization focused on the lawful open carry of a holstered handgun and on broader firearm law reform in the state. Founded in March 2009 by members of the Michigan forum of OpenCarry.org, the group works through public education, legislative advocacy and litigation, including Freedom of Information Act lawsuits against local governments. Michigan allows open carry without a permit, with a license required to carry a pistol in a vehicle, and MOC publishes detailed guidance on carry, pistol licensing and registration for Michigan gun owners. The organization is governed by an elected Board of Governors and remains active as of 2026.
MOC works closely with other Michigan gun rights groups. In October 2013 it joined Michigan Gun Owners and the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners in a Second Amendment March on the State Capitol in Lansing. The group reports that it helped shape Senate Bill 219 in 2017, which removed the once-per-year limit on Concealed Pistol License applications. That same year it settled a public records lawsuit against the City of Harbor Beach over an employee open carry ban, and in 2025 a judge ordered the City of Wyoming to release records concerning its firearm license pre-application forms after an MOC challenge. MOC has also published guidance on opting out of Michigan’s handgun registration records.
Key Facts
- March 2009: Michigan Open Carry is founded by members of the OpenCarry.org Michigan forum.
- October 9, 2013: MOC, Michigan Gun Owners and MCRGO stage the Second Amendment March at the Michigan Capitol.
- June 29, 2015: MOC publishes its guide to opting out of Michigan handgun registration.
- October 2017: SB 219 eliminates the one-application-per-year limit on Concealed Pistol Licenses, a change MOC supported.
- November 2017: MOC settles its Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the City of Harbor Beach.
- September 2025: A judge orders the City of Wyoming to release records in an MOC records case.
Learn More
Sources
- Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
- Michigan Gun Rights Groups Stage March At The State Capitol Building (AmmoLand)
- Open carry in the United States (Wikipedia)
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