Device designed to explode upon impact, upon application of heat, or device highly incendiary; possession with intent to use unlawfully; violation; penalties; "Molotov cocktail" defined.
MCL 750.211a
in effect750.211a. Device designed to explode upon impact, upon application of heat, or device highly incendiary; possession with intent to use unlawfully; violation; penalties; "Molotov cocktail" defined.
Sec. 211a.
(1) A person shall not do either of the following:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), manufacture, buy, sell, furnish, or possess a Molotov cocktail or any similar device.
(b) Manufacture, buy, sell, furnish, or possess any device that is designed to explode or that will explode upon impact or with the application of heat or a flame or that is highly incendiary, with the intent to frighten, terrorize, intimidate, threaten, harass, injure, or kill any person, or with the intent to damage or destroy any real or personal property without the permission of the property owner or, if the property is public property, without the permission of the governmental agency having authority over that property.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a crime as follows:
(a) For a violation of subsection (1)(a), the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.
(b) For a violation of subsection (1)(b) and except as provided in subdivisions (c) to (f), the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
(c) If the violation damages the property of another person, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 20 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00, or both.
(d) If the violation causes physical injury to another individual, other than serious impairment of a body function, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 25 years or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both.
(e) If the violation causes serious impairment of a body function to another individual, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years or a fine of not more than $25,000.00, or both.
(f) Except as provided in sections 25 and 25a of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.25 and 769.25a, if the violation causes the death of another individual, the person is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for life without eligibility for parole and may be fined not more than $40,000.00, or both.
(3) As used in this section, "Molotov cocktail" means an improvised incendiary device that is constructed from a bottle or other container filled with a flammable or combustible material or substance and that has a wick, fuse, or other device designed or intended to ignite the contents of the device when it is thrown or placed near a target.
Add. 1966, Act 69, Eff. Mar. 10, 1967; Am. 1968, Act 280, Eff. July 1, 1968; Am. 1998, Act 206, Eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Am. 2003, Act 257, Eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Am. 2004, Act 523, Eff. Apr. 1, 2005; Am. 2014, Act 23, Imd. Eff. Mar. 4, 2014
Source: Michigan Legislature (legislature.mi.gov)URL: https://legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-750-211aFetched: 10/20/2026