First off I want to thank everyone who answered my questions and even offered taking me to a range in my previous post: "Basic rifle for noob user." https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/-/128-785085/

I'm going to hold off on buying an AR for now since I might be taking possession of a 10-22LR that we found in a deceased family members home.

I presume an AR15 is vastly superior to a 10-22LR?   I initially thought it was a BB gun but then found a square approx 2"x2"x2" magazine that goes in front of the trigger.

Is this rifle worth of home defense? The rifle is small but looks unused and possibly from the 60s - 80s based off the white and brown plastic sleeve it was in (similar to an old fashioned bowling ball bag).

It's not in the will so finders keepers here. Based on some research, there is no need to register rifles in MI, but can anyone clarify this?  I'm still a little wary of transporting it, what if I get pulled over?

Definitely keeping it.  I'll get my self a case then.  Thank you

Go here and you can get the date of manufacture from Ruger.

https://ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/

Let us know.  I will guess 1978

10-22 is a great gun. That was the first gun I had (at 8), nearly 30 years ago and still have it. It is not a good home defense gun,  but it is a great range and small game gun with a huge list of aftermarket parts available.