Gun laws in Minnesota

Gun laws in Minnesota regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the state of Minnesota in the United States.[1]

Location of Minnesota in the United States

Summary table
Subject/LawLong gunsHandgunsRelevant StatutesNotes
State permit required to purchase?NoYes§624.7131Permit to purchase required to transfer/purchase long guns with a pistol grip and handguns through FFL dealers. A permit to carry also acts as a permit to purchase for Minnesota residents. Traditional rifles and shotguns may be purchased without a permit.
Firearm registration?NoNo
Assault weapon law?NoNo§624.7131Persons 18 and older may purchase assault weapons with a permit to purchase (or permit to carry for persons 21 and older).
Magazine Capacity Restriction?NoNo
Owner license required?NoNo
Permit required for concealed carry?N/AYes§624.714Shall Issue. Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol required to carry handguns. Concealment is permitted but not required.
Permit required for open carry?YesYes§624.7181Whoever carries a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun on or about the person in a public place is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. A person under the age of 21 who carries a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon on or about their person in public place is guilty of a felony. However, you may carry a pistol or a long gun openly with permit to carry a pistol because, the law states that the prohibition on carrying does not include the carrying of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun by a person who has a permit under section 624.714.
State Preemption of local restrictions?YesYes§471.633Municipalities may regulate the discharge of firearms within their borders.
NFA weapons restricted?YesYes§609.67Machine guns and short-barreled shotguns, unless designated Curios & Relics, are prohibited in most cases. Some destructive devices are prohibited in most cases. Sound suppressors and short barreled rifles are legal.
Peaceable Journey laws?YesYes§97B.045 §624.714, Subd. 9Any legally possessed gun may be transported in a motor vehicle, provided it is unloaded and cased.
Background checks required for private sales?NoNo

Permits to carry

As of March 1st, 2020 there were 301,268 permit holders in Minnesota.[2]

  • The county sheriff must either issue or deny a permit within 30 days of the application date.
  • New and renewal permits are valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance. Emergency permits are valid for 30 days.
  • Landlords may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests.
  • Private establishments can ban any firearms and must post a legal notice banning guns on their premises or personally notify patrons that guns are not allowed. (624.714 Subd. 17.b1)
  • Sheriff's departments which wrongfully deny an applicant (as determined by the courts) are responsible for reimbursing legal fees incurred by applicant.

Restrictions
  • Must be at least 21 years of age and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
  • Must complete an application
  • Must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Minnesota Statute 624.714 (Criminal background & mental health history check)
  • Must not be listed in the criminal gang investigation system
  • If a Minnesota resident, must reside in the county in which the application for a permit is made; non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff.
  • Must present evidence of training in the safe use of a pistol. (Training completed within one year of an original or renewal application. – 624.714, Subd. 2a)

Places Prohibited by statute
  • K-12 School property ∗ † ∗∗
  • A childcare center while children are present ∗∗
  • State correctional facilities or state hospitals and grounds (MN Statute 243.55)
  • Any jail, lockup or correctional facility (MN Statute 641.165)
  • Courthouse complexes, unless the sheriff is notified (MN Statute 609.66)
  • Offices and courtrooms of the Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
  • In federal court facilities or other federal facilities (Title 18 U.S.C.§ 930)

∗ Public colleges and universities may make administrative policies prohibiting the carry of firearms by students and employees. However, such policies are not laws and do not have the authority of laws, nor may peace officers enforce such policies under the color of law.

∗∗ The carrying of firearms on school and day care facility property is allowed with written permission from the principal or other person in general control of the school, or the director of a child care center. Exiting a vehicle with a firearm is only allowed to place the firearm in the trunk of the vehicle, unless written permission has been received.

∗∗∗ In 2015, this notification became automatic with the issuance of a permit. (MN Statute 609.66, Subd. 1g, paragraph c)

∗∗∗∗ Note, some stores may refuse to sell a long gun if you do not have a carry permit or permit to purchase a pistol, even if it does not have a pistol grip.

† With the exception of religious organizations, no public or private entity may prohibit the carry or storage of firearms within vehicles in parking lots.

Minnesota is a "shall issue" state for Permit(s) to Carry a Pistol.

Some counties have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions.[3]

Sales

Private sales

There are private seller regulations in Minnesota (Read here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=624.7132#stat.624.7132). Private sales do not require a background check in Minnesota.[4]

A private seller is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if a private transfer is made to a prohibited person, who can be reasonably suspected as a prohibited person, who then uses or possesses the firearm during the commission of a felony crime of violence within one year of the transfer.

Gun shows

All federally licensed firearms dealers must perform background checks at gun shows. Minnesota state law does not require background checks for gun sales between private persons that take place at gun shows, or any other location; see above.[4]

References
  1. Gun Laws: Minnesota, NRA-ILA. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  2. https://m.startribune.com/record-number-of-minnesotans-have-permits-to-carry-guns-in-public/568597062/
  3. Deninger, Madeline. "Roseau County becomes Second Amendment 'sanctuary'". Bring Me The News. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  4. "What you need to know about Minnesota's gun laws". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
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