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Permit to Carry a Pistol in Minnesota

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1. Where can I apply for a permit to carry a pistol?

Minnesota residents may obtain a permit to carry a pistol by submitting an application and other related documentation to the sheriff in the county where the applicant resides. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota County Sheriff.

2. Can I apply for a permit to carry if I am not a U.S. citizen but have permanent resident alien status in the United States?

Yes. When you apply you will need to provide the sheriff with your I-551 or I-151 card, whichever one you have been issued.

3. Where can I get a permit to carry application?

Applications are available at the Sheriff’s Office,Wright County Sheriffs Office website, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.

4. Can I apply for my permit by mail?

No. Minnesota State Statute requires you to apply at the Sheriff’s Office in person.

5. What are the requirements for getting a permit to carry?

• You must be at least 21 years of age.
• You must complete the correct application form.
• You must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm by any local, state, or federal law.
• You must not be listed in the criminal gang investigation system.
• You must be a resident of the county in which you are applying if you are a Minnesota resident. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota County Sheriff.
• You must provide a certificate of completed authorized training. Training must be provided by a certified instructor and must be completed within 1 year of the original or renewal application date.

6. What is the process for obtaining or renewing my permit to carry?

• Take an authorized firearms training class within 1 year of your application or renewal date.
• Deliver the application packet along with your training certificate to the Sheriff’s Office where you currently reside. Out of state applicants may apply at any Minnesota Sheriff’s office.
• You must present a current drivers license, state identification card, or the photo page of your passport showing residency in the county. Permanent US Resident must present an I551 or I151 Card.

7. When is a permit to carry not required?

• To keep or carry about the person’s place of business*, dwelling house, premises, or land possessed by the person.
• To carry a pistol from a place of purchase to the person's dwelling house or place of business*, or from the person's dwelling house or place of business* to or from a place where repairing is done, to have the pistol repaired.
• To carry a pistol between the person's dwelling house and place of business*.
• To carry a pistol in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this state for the purpose of hunting or of target shooting in a safe area.
• To transport a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile or boat if the pistol is unloaded, contained in a closed and fastened case, gun-box, or securely tied package.

*Case law states that a person must have an interest in the place of business, not merely an employee.

8. Where can I find a list of approved firearms training classes?

The BCA provides a list of Approved Business Organizations that the BCA certifies for training for the MN Personal Protection Act. The Approved Business Organizations certify and teach the instructors that teach the permit holders. You will need to contact those organizations for instructor information. A list of Approved Business Organizations can be found at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website.

9. If I am a non-resident on MN, must I take an approved firearms training class in Minnesota in order to get a permit?

No. You need to take an approved training course that meets the training guidelines for MN law, but the course does not need to be taken in Minnesota. The course can be taken out of state as long as it meets the guidelines stated in MN statute 624-712 sub. 2a

10. Do members of the military need to take additional firearms training in order to apply for a permit to carry?

Although members of the military receive superb firearms training, they must receive training from an instructor that has been certified by an Approved Business Organization in Minnesota. This additional training pertains to the legal aspects of permit to carry issues.

11. What is the cost for a permit to carry?

The fee for a new permit to carry is $100. The fee for a renewal is $75 if you apply within 90 days before your expiration date. The fee is $85 if you apply within 30 days after your expiration date. If you permit is more than 30 days expired, it is considered a “new” permit and you will be charged $100.

12. How long do I have to wait to get my permit?

You will know if your permit is issued or denied within 30 days of your application date.

13. How long is my permit valid?

New and renewal permits are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. Emergency permits are valid for 30 days.

14. Can I get an emergency permit to carry?

Emergency permits may be issued by the sheriff if he/she determines that the person is in an emergency situation that may constitute an immediate risk to the safety of the person or someone residing in the person’s household. You do not need a training certificate for an emergency permit. The emergency permit cannot be renewed if issued.

15. What would prevent me from getting a permit to carry?

Any applicant who does not meet the criteria as listed in #5 above is not eligible for a permit to carry a pistol. The sheriff may also deny the application if there is a substantial likelihood that the applicant is a danger to himself / herself or others if issued a permit to carry.

16. Where is my Minnesota permit valid?

Minnesota permits are valid throughout the state of Minnesota. Individuals interested in determining whether a MN permit to carry is valid in another state should contact that state directly to determine what the carry laws are.

17. Do I need to have my permit card with me when carrying a pistol?

Yes. The permit holder must have the permit card and a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or other government issued photo identification in immediate possession at all times when carrying a pistol and must display the permit card and identification document when requested by a peace officer.

18. Do I have to disclose to a peace officer that I am a permit holder and carrying a firearm?

Yes. Upon request of a peace officer, a permit holder must disclose to the officer whether or not the permit holder is currently carrying a firearm.

19. Do I need to notify the Sheriff’s Office when I move?

Yes. A permit holder is required to notify the issuing Sheriff’s Office within 30 days of a permanent address change. Failure to do so is a petty misdemeanor.

20. Does the address on my permit to carry need to match the address on my drivers license?

No. However, the permit holder may obtain an updated permit at a cost of $10.

21. If I have a permit to carry a pistol, do I have to conceal the pistol?

No. Minnesota Personal Protection Act is a permit to carry law, not a conceal and carry law. The pistol does not need to be concealed, but may be concealed.

22. If I do not want to conceal my pistol, can I carry a pistol without a permit if it is not concealed?

No. A person, other than a peace officer, who carries, holds, or possesses a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile, or boat, or on or about the person's clothes or the person, or otherwise in possession or control in a public place, as defined in section 624.7181, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), without first having obtained a permit to carry the pistol is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

A person who is convicted a second or subsequent time is guilty of a felony.

23. If I have a permit to carry a pistol, do I need to apply for a permit to purchase if I want to purchase a handgun?

No. Under MN law, handgun transfers involve any sale, gift, loan, assignment, or other delivery to another person. If you possess a valid permit to carry a pistol, that permit constitutes a permit to purchase. You do not need to apply for a separate permit to purchase. However, there is nothing that prohibits you from obtaining both permits if you desire.

24. Where am I prohibited from carrying my pistol?

• School property
• A childcare center while children are present
• In the vicinity of a school bus occupied by children
• Public colleges and universities may have policies restricting the carrying of weapons on their premises by employees or students while on their campus
• Private establishments that have posted a sign banning guns from their premises
• Places of employment, public or private, if the employer restricts the carry of possession of firearms by its employees
• State correctional facilities or state hospitals and grounds
• Any jail, lockup, or correctional facility
• Courthouse complexes unless the sheriff is notified
• Offices and courtrooms of the MN Supreme court and Court of Appeals
• Any State building unless the Commissioner of Public Safety is notified
• In a field while hunting big game by archery, except hunting bear
• In Federal court facilities or other federal facilities

25. Can my landlord restrict me from carrying or possessing firearms on residence premises?

No. Landlords may not restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests.

26. Can I prohibit firearms in my private residence?

Yes. The owner of the residence may prohibit firearms from their home.

27. If I am a resident of a state that does not have reciprocity with Minnesota, but have a permit to carry from a state that does, may I carry in Minnesota?

Yes.

28. How can I legally transport a firearm without obtaining a permit to carry?

Transporting firearms without a permit requires the person to have the firearm unloaded and fully enclosed in a case made to contain a firearm.

29. Is there a public list of permit to carry holders or can I call local law enforcement to find out which individuals in my community have a permit to carry?

No. This is private data and is not available to the public.

30. When my 5 year permit is about to expire, do I need to retake the approved firearms training class before I apply for a renewal permit?

Yes. Applicants must present evidence that they have received training in the safe use of a pistol within 1 year of the date of the original or renewal application.

31. Where do I renew my permit to carry?

Permits may not be renewed until 90 days prior to the expiration date of the current permit. The renewal fee during 90 days prior to expiration is $75.

After the expiration date, but within 30 after the expiration, you can renew your permit by paying an additional late fee of $10 in addition to the $75 renewal fee. During this time, your past permit is not valid and you will not be able to legally carry a pistol until your renewal permit has been issued.

If your current permit is more than 31 days expired, you will no longer be able to renew your permit. You will have to apply for a new permit and pay the $100 fee for a new permit.

Permits to carry are renewed at the county sheriff’s office where the applicant currently resides. Out of state permits holders can renew at any sheriff’s office