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A month ago, we saw the largest monthly drop in statewide CPL numbers since MCRGO began recording them in 2010. We theorized that the decrease is a result of the COVID pandemic in 2020, which is causing this decline five years later.
Interest in obtaining a concealed pistol license is volatile, with factors such as the economy, the state and national political situations, and high-profile news events causing significant increases and decreases in student certifications and license applications.
The most significant of these in recent history was the result of the COVID pandemic of 2020. Once firearms safety instructors resumed CPL classes in June 2020 and county clerks' offices reopened in July 2020, new CPL applications skyrocketed, driven by the unprecedented uncertainty at that moment in our nation's history.
Five years later, many of the people who obtained a concealed pistol license due to pandemic panic are letting their license lapse as it comes up for renewal. The pandemic-era surge lasted for 18 months. So we forecasted similar monthly drops over the next year and a half.
That conjecture has proven to be correct with another large drop this month. Total statewide CPLs dropped by another 2,194 licensees to 846,172.
To help combat this decline, MCRGO's Board of Directors voted at its Fall 2025 meeting to send reminder emails out to MCRGO CPL students certified during that period of time. The email reminds students who did not get their CPL that they have five years to do so following the class. Even more importantly, the email warns students who obtained a CPL about the penalties for carrying concealed with an expired license. It also advises them about the need to retake the class if they let their license lapse for over a year.
This month's full report from the Michigan State Police can be found HERE.
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