Thanks for all the info. that's very helpful. However, I'm still not sure about my original question, which was: if I legally own the handgun, but do not have a CPL, (because I'm 18), where can I transport the gun? Here's a section copied from the MSP site:
"1. If I do not have a CPL permit, may I transport my pistol in a motor vehicle?
MCL 750.231a A person is now permitted to transport a pistol for a lawful purpose if the owner or occupant of the vehicle is the registered owner of the firearm and the pistol is unloaded and in a closed case in the trunk of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the pistol may be in the passenger compartment of the vehicle unloaded and inaccessible to the occupants of the vehicle.
A 'lawful purpose' includes:
* While en route to or from a hunting or target shooting area.
* While transporting a pistol to or from home or place of business and a place of repair.
* While moving goods from one place of residence or business to another place of residence or business.
* While transporting a licensed pistol to or from a law enforcement agency for the purpose of having a safety inspection performed (registering the pistol) or to have a law enforcement official take possession of the pistol.
* While en route to or from home or place of business to a gun show or place of purchase or sale.
* While en route to or from home to a public shooting facility or land where the discharge of firearms is permitted.
*
While en route to or from home to private property where the pistol is to be used as permitted by law, rule, regulation, or local ordinance. "
As I read that, I, as an 18 yr old handgun owner, would not be allowed to transport the firearm in my vehicle just as a means of protection wherever I go, it would have to meet the certain criteria listed above, such as going to a shooting range, gun show, or to private property, etc.
One of my scenarios that I'm trying to pin down answers on is an overnight road trip to a certain well-known amusement park in Ohio, and whether or not it would be lawful for me to have a handgun stowed away in my vehicle during that trip. I have yet to look up Ohio's firearm laws though.