12. I found a pistol in an old house that I was fixing up. Can I get it registered in my name?
You should take it to your local police agency and they can check on the history of the pistol. They will, of course, check to make sure it is not stolen, and also for any previous registered owner. If there was a previous owner, the agency is required to send a letter to that person to determine whether they have any interest or legal claim to the pistol. If the previous owner does not respond within 6 months, has no interest in the pistol, or is not eligible to possess a pistol, the department may release it to you, providing you comply with MCL 28.422 or MCL 28.422a in obtaining a License to Purchase or Pistol Sales Record. If the owner responds, the property shall be returned to the legal owner when the law enforcement agency is reasonably satisfied of that ownership.