CPL Digest — August 31, 2026
By Christine Barnes | Concealed Carry Training Company
Firearms Training & Education for Life
1. Michigan Legislature
Nothing new today.
The Michigan Senate is adjourned until September 9. The House was not in session on August 31. No new CPL-related bills were introduced or acted on in the past 24 hours. Previously reported bills (HB 6284/6285 on SBR and suppressor repeal, SB 850 on weapon-free zone expansion) remain in committee without movement.
2. Michigan Courts
Nothing new today.
No Michigan Supreme Court or Court of Appeals decisions involving firearms, CPL, or self-defense were issued in the past 24 hours. Previously reported rulings (People v. Wilkins, People v. Dantzler) remain the current law.
3. Federal
DOJ Nonviolent Felon Gun Rights Restoration Rule — Effective September 21, 2026
Relevance: HIGH
The Department of Justice's final rule restoring federal firearms rights to individuals with nonviolent felony convictions takes effect in 21 days — September 21, 2026. The rule establishes a new application process under 28 CFR Part 107, administered by the Office of the Pardon Attorney rather than the ATF, bypassing a 30-year congressional funding freeze. Applicants with nonviolent felony convictions face a five-year waiting period from sentence completion before applying; certain violent offenses carry a 10-year presumption against relief or are presumptively ineligible. The application portal opens to a first wave of 5,000 public applicants on November 4, 2026, with a $30 fee beginning January 2027.
What it means for Michigan CPL holders: Restored federal rights do not automatically restore Michigan CPL eligibility. Michigan's eligibility statute (MCL 28.425b) governs state licensing independently, and an individual whose federal rights are restored under this rule will still need to navigate Michigan's separate restoration process before they can apply for or hold a CPL. This is a widely misunderstood gap — many people assume federal restoration clears the path everywhere. It does not in Michigan. Anyone in this situation should work with an attorney who knows both federal firearms law and Michigan licensing law before taking steps in either direction.
Sources: justice.gov | nraila.org | williamsmullen.com
4. Michigan CPL & Self-Defense News
Nothing new today.
No new Michigan self-defense cases or CPL incidents with confirmed sourcing fell within the past 24-hour window. A fatal shooting at a Grand Rapids home (1200 block of Sherman Street SE) was reported on August 31 but remains an active investigation with no self-defense claim confirmed; no actionable CPL angle at this time.
5. National Self-Defense Cases
Fletcher McCray — Tampa, Florida (Arrested August 29–30)
Relevance: MEDIUM
Tampa police arrested 43-year-old Fletcher McCray for a fatal shooting at a motel in Seminole Heights following a reported confrontation on the night of August 29. McCray claimed self-defense, stating he acted after being threatened. Investigators stated that surveillance footage contradicted his account — specifically showing the victim with his hands up before being shot. McCray was charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
What it means for you: This case illustrates how quickly a self-defense claim collapses when surveillance evidence conflicts with the account given to police. The victim's posture at the moment of the shot is central to whether force was legally justified. Situational awareness and de-escalation matter — not just in the moment, but in what the footage will show afterward.
Homeowner Shooting — Saint David, Arizona (Reported August 30)
Relevance: MEDIUM
A Cochise County homeowner shot and killed a 67-year-old man he says was attempting to enter his residence. The homeowner told deputies he fired to protect his two small children when he saw a shadow moving near a window. The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is investigating. The case has drawn public discussion around Arizona's Castle Doctrine and how the standard of 'reasonable fear' applies when the threat is not yet inside the home.
What it means for you: Castle Doctrine protections vary by state in how they apply to threats at the threshold versus inside the home. In Michigan, the Castle Doctrine covers defense within the home, and the 'reasonable belief' standard still governs whether force was justified. This case is a useful reminder that proximity to entry — not just presence inside — is where these cases become factually complex for prosecutors and juries.
State v. Ewing — Century, Florida (Reported August 31)
Relevance: LOW
A Florida court transferred 16-year-old Keyunta Iveon Ewing to adult court on August 31 to face first-degree murder charges for an August 13 shooting. Ewing has asserted a self-defense claim, stating he fired because he believed the victim was about to shoot someone else. Witnesses testified that the victim had his hands raised and said 'Hold on bro, you got it' before being shot. The case will now proceed through adult criminal court.
What it means for you: When a self-defense claim rests on a perceived threat to a third party — rather than to the defender themselves — the evidentiary bar is high. Witness accounts and the victim's apparent actions at the moment of the shot will be central to whether the claim survives at trial.
6. Value-Add Content Opportunities
California CCW — New Livescan Fingerprinting Requirement Takes Effect September 1
Relevance: MEDIUM
California AB 1948, signed August 28, 2026, extends new and renewal CCW license terms to three years starting January 1, 2027. A separate requirement attached to the bill mandates Livescan electronic fingerprinting for all CCW renewals, effective September 1, 2026. Michigan CPL holders who travel to or reside part-time in California and hold a California permit will need to comply with the new fingerprinting step at their next renewal.
What it means for Michigan CPL holders: California does not recognize Michigan CPLs, so this is not a direct issue for carry in that state. However, for subscribers who hold a California permit in addition to their Michigan CPL — or who are researching what carry looks like when traveling — the new requirement is a useful data point. The longer renewal term is a net positive for California permittees.
Source: applevalleygunclub.com (California AB 1948 summary, August 2026)
ATF Guidance on Silencer Shop Ruling Still Absent — DOJ Appeal Deadline October 5
Relevance: MEDIUM
As of August 31, the ATF has not issued official implementation guidance for the firearms industry following the August 13 injunction in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. That ruling found NFA registration requirements for suppressors unconstitutional after Congress reduced the NFA tax to $0. The injunction is currently limited to named plaintiffs and their customers in covered states — it is not a nationwide ruling. The DOJ has until October 5, 2026 to file an appeal. Until the ATF speaks or the appeal deadline passes, the practical scope of the ruling remains unsettled for dealers and buyers not covered by the injunction.
What it means for Michigan CPL holders: Michigan is not among the states where the injunction currently applies. Michigan residents purchasing suppressors from non-covered dealers still need to follow existing NFA processes. Watch for ATF guidance before October 5 — if the DOJ declines to appeal, the legal landscape will shift more broadly.
Sources: nraila.org | atf.gov
Nothing new today on: Michigan reciprocity changes, Michigan law explainers, carry insurance plan changes (beyond California), TSA/travel rule changes, Michigan ERPO, county clerk processing, Michigan vehicle/storage carry law, or prosecutor-decision case material.
Stay Current All Year
The law changes, courts rule, and real cases play out every week. Michigan CPL holders need to know what those changes mean before they end up in a situation where it matters.
The CPL Renewal Guide — available at $34.99 per year — gives subscribers ongoing access to legislative updates, Michigan and federal court decisions, government contacts, a 3-hour CPL renewal guide, news articles, and company recommendations, all curated and explained in plain English.
Christine Barnes has trained more than 15,000 students across Michigan over 12+ years. Concealed Carry Training Company offers CPL classes at multiple Michigan locations and digital resources for licensed carriers statewide.
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