MINNESOTA GUN LAWS
minnesota ccw QUICK FACTS
Contents
Permit Information
Minnesota gun laws operate on a “Shall Issue” policy. Resident and non-resident permits are available. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a firearms training course. Applications are made at the local level to the county sheriff’s office in the person's county of residence. Non-residents can apply at any sheriff's office. Permits are not required for transporting a firearm, keeping it at home or in a place of business.
Minnesota Reciprocity Map
minnesota
Minnesota CCW permit recognition
Idaho – Honors ID Enhanced Only
Minnesota CCW Permit
Minnesota is a “shall issue” state.
Non-resident permits available.
The permit is valid for 5 years.
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Must complete an application form
- Must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Minnesota law
- Must not be listed in the criminal gang investigation system
- Must be a resident of the county from which you are requesting a permit, if you reside in Minnesota. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff.
- Must provide certificate of completed authorized firearms training.
- Federal Law – Prohibits the following persons
WITH CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT
Where You Can Carry
- State parks
- State and national forests
- Road side rest areas
- Vehicle
- All areas of the state – except those listed below
Where You Cannot Carry
- Public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school building and grounds
- A child care center while children are present
- School bus
- Portion of a building or facility under the temporary, exclusive control of a public or private school where signs are posted.
- Public colleges and universities – may have policy restricting the carrying of weapons on their premises by employees and students while on campus
- Private establishments that have posted a sign banning guns on their premises
- Places of employment, public or private, if employer restricts the carry or possession of firearms by is employees
- State correctional facilities
- State hospitals and grounds
- Any jail, lockup or correctional facility
- Courthouse complexes
- Churches and parking area if posted
- Offices and courtrooms of the Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
- Any state building
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.
Details on Minnesota Gun Laws
Minnesota Contacts
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Hours
Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Contact
Address 1430 Maryland Ave. East
CitySt. Paul, MN 55106
Phone (651) 793-7000
I am an NRA Certified Instructor, and certified RSO. I also have my CCW. I live in Oklahoma. We honor MN permits, but MN does not honor ours. I was not given a reason why, only that the MN legislative dept. made it so. So I am certified to TEACH in MN, but cannot CARRY in MN?….I’ve reached out to the OK SDA (Self Defense Act) to see if OK can amend the laws, so that MN permits are no longer valid in OK. It only seems fair that we not recognize MN permits, since MN does not recognize ours.
Why wouldn’t you try to lobby MN to change their law?
Making permits more restrictive because one state doesn’t have their act completely together isn’t helpful. More restrictions are not needed; if your are an NRA instructor then you should be advocating to expand people’s ability to carry. If it was the other way around, I would be happy that people from OK could carry in MN even if I couldn’t carry in OK. My beef wouldn’t be with the ability of others to carry but with the state itself. Your logic is flawed and oddly passive aggressive.
Is a Permit required to carry a pre 1899, antique or reproduction pistol?
Yes any combination of a firearm all steel construction and or polymer frame or any object that can deliver a ballistic gel penetration measurement of greater than 1/947th must be regulated/registered and accompanied with the states rights to bear arms documentations when asked by any law enforcement agency documented encounters.
I have had a conceal carry permit for about three years and now my kid is thinking about getting one. He had a felony dwi ( .17) about five years ago. Will that stop him from getting his permit?
I am not an expert but from what I have read while looking into getting my carry permit, you cannot even receive a permit to purchase a handgun if you have a felony. I’m guessing it’s the same, if not more strict, for a permit to carry
Getting an expungement is relatively easy you don’t necessarily have to have a lawyer to do it either
Being a felon..
Unfortunately yes, any convicted felonies that are permanently on your record will disqualify you from being able to attain your permit.
Can a Felon of the 5th Degree non violent get a CCW in Minnesota as a non resident. Also I have legally passed a federal background check and purchased a fireman. Thanks
You shouldn’t have been able to purchase. When they ask you if you’ve been convicted of a felony did you say yes? That would have been illegal saying no.
Justin, did you get a felony 5th degree drug charge? If so did the felony charge include probation and a stay of imposition? If it did and you completed your probation correctly the felony charge may have been automatically reduced.
I find it interesting that you need to have a permit to open carry in MN. That sounds to me kind of a contradiction of our 2nd amendment right…
Secondly that is upsetting that MN doesn’t respect military training of small arms. If honorably discharged from the military there should be no need for additional training. Seams like MN is just trying to have businesses make money off this conceal and carry permitting process. Someone in legislation is being supported or bought out by trainers that will be making money from this rule.
LOL. Check out our history of governors since 2005 when Shall Issue became law. Not fans of 2A.
our local minnesota dmv, which is a state facility, has signage for no weapons allowed per the building mgmnt. is this possible , (1) without a corresponding statute on the sign? (2) its a public place (RENTED)?
Many places where you get tabs and licenses are local registrars for MN Driver and Vehicle Services that are actually private businesses.
If it is a state run center, then they cannot ban.
No, the can’t legally post that.
It’s great to know that the permit can be given to non-residents as well, but you can get one through the sheriff. I will share this information with a friend of mine since they will be visiting us for a couple of weeks this month and next month. She just talked to me about her concerns with her husband’s gun since he plans to bring it with him no matter where they go. He just got it last month that is why there are some laws and rules that they don’t know yet. Thanks! https://www.osseogunclub.com/mn-permit-to-carry-class.html
Can a felon have muzzle loaders in mn if so what kind
I’m 99% sure Minnesota doesn’t consider muzzle loaders to be real guns, so I don’t think it’d be illegal.
I’ll look it up and get back to you later on it.
Yes a felon can own a black powder rifle or shotgun
NO!
In State vs. Haywood, a felon was convicted under possessing a firearm statute for a BB GUN.
The State supreme court did overturn the conviction, but held that:
“Firearm means a device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled a projectile by the force of any explosion or force of combustion.”
Well I guess they didn’t know the difference between combustion and release of air pressure.
I am a Wisconsin Resident with a Wisconsin CCW. I was told by a local sherriff that I cannot carry in Minnesota, i.e. Minnesota does not have reciprocity with Wisconsin. Is this true? Can someone give me that exact law that states my permit is acceptable???
This is true. You cannot legally carry in MN with a WI permit. MN does NOT honor permits from WI. However, WI will honor permits from MN. This is perhaps why you’re confused. This link is extremely helpful and given to me by my CCW course instructor: https://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html
You can carry in Minnesota.
I’m sorry I was wrong. Minnesota can carry in Wisconsin but Wisconsin cannot carry in Minnesota.
As a resident of Minnesota, that’s a bit crap to be honest.
Try to grab an out of state permit at a cheap county, like Benton.
so can you or cant you carry a firearm in places that post a sign out front banning firearms…?
Above under the section labeled “Where You Can Not Carry” has a bullet point saying you cant, but below that in the section “Details on Minnesota Gun Laws” is says under “no weapon signs enforced” that theres nothing in mn laws referring to the signs and that theres no law or penalties for carrying a weapon in private property or business that has posted these signs.. So im confused, can you or cant you??
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/624.714 See Subd. 17. Posting; trespass.
Technically you can. Even with the sign posted the owner/representative must make a reasonable request informing you that firearms are not allowed and you must leave. If you do not leave you can be charged with a misdemeanor. This only applies to private and businesses there are still locations where you cannot carry a firearm under MN statutes.
I turned 21 a couple months ago. The new ID’s are behind so I’ll have to wait another 4 months to get it. I do not have a passport. I did the conceal and carry class and passed so I have my certificate. All I have is a void stamped license with my yellow papers will the county accept that?
They should
Your CCP is tied to the state ID number you use for applying. You must carry your permit and the ID you used for applying always together. The yellow paper has no ID number, that is why the Sheriff will most probably not use it. My recommendatiin is to wait it out.
If I am open carrying my weapon and an officer approaches me and demands my permit, do I have to oblige?
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/624.714 Subd. 1b.Display of permit; penalty
The statute doesn’t differentiate between open or conceal carry. MN permits are carry permits allowing both.
The holder of a permit to carry must have the permit card and a 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 upon lawful demand by a peace officer…
Yes, you dont have to tell them you are carrying but if they ask you must
If someone has a gross misdemeanor dwi. Are they able to still get a conceal and carry? Would the dwi affect anything.
As long as it’s not a felony DWI, then you can get one.
I have a 5th degree domestic misdemeanor when I was 21. I’m now 42. Can I get a permit to carry? Also can I get a license to buy a hand gun?
No. Any domestic automatically disqualifies you. I had a 5th degree assault when I was 12 and it almost affected my permit to carry because somewhere along the lines it got listed as a domestic. The sheriff and I spent a month tracking down any record to prove it wasn’t domestic and since I was a juvenile it was nearly impossible but the police station had the 1st page of the report which explained enough to show it wasn’t domestic.
Does Michigan honor Minnesota carry permit?
Yes, I have a map for MN if you lake I can email it to you or anyone that would like it.
Go to usacarry.com. All states are listed there.
NEED TO FIX. In the summary box, it says for No Weapons Signs Enforced NO but when you read where you cannot carry, it states “Private establishments that have posted a sign banning guns on their premises.”
I don’t give my business to anywhere that posts that anyway, unless out of necessity (only choice kinda thing).
I will look at the MN.gov website to be sure, just wanted to mention the error on this page.
Not an error. The signs have to meet certain verbiage and location requirements. ‘No Weapons’ does not meet these requirements, and as such, does not carry the weight of the law.
Just to let you know, the owner also has the right to verbally inform you of their policy to ban guns in their premises, doesn’t have a sign posted. You cannot be charged with anything unless you are asked to leave and refuse to do so. Then it would be a $25 trespassing charge. MN 624.714 subd. 17
Why training? Well, as a veteran – former LEO – and conceal carry citizen, I am also a career-long trainer/educator. In my professional opinion, to resist training for something as essential – critical – as carrying a firearm is sad to me. Why anyone would not immerse in training regarding all aspects of conceal carry is a puzzlement. In spite of my extensive training in firearms carry & use, from 1972 to this very day, I participate in a minimum of 48 hours of continuing education in conceal carry. Opportunities abound to learn more and further develop the discipline needed… Read more »
Only problem I have with mandating training is it makes it harder for those that are financially burdened to have an opportunity to defend themselves. Training takes time and money that less fortunate people do not have. Firearms are not complicated machines and people who do not have financial means, but have the desire and fortitude, can learn what they need from the internet. Certainly any training you have the opportunity to. But don’t mandate it.
Yeah, it may be a bit tougher if you’re on a budget, but asking around to friends is a great way to get in some range time. We Minnesotans are pretty okay about guns in general, so just find a buddy with a gun and they’ll probably let you fiddle with it, shoot it, and give it a pet name. All before you’re even thinking about your own CCW. And if you’re visiting from a commie state, most ranges will let you shoot. Some might even give you some handling lessons and shooting techniques if they aren’t too busy at… Read more »
I hear you and appreciate your views. However, people take driving lessons and pay for a license to exert the right to drive. In my humble opinion asking folks to do similar training and licensing for another potentially fatal machine is a worthwhile process. Wish it could all be free but things worth having often aren’t free
In addition to MN permit to carry, which out of state permits would maximize number of states (in in terms of reciprocity)?
Ohio CCW permits are honored by 38 states so I would try that, Florida permits are also popular.
What happens if your carrying in a state that doesn’t honor your ccw, say MN.Join the discussion…
You would be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon without a valid license in that state if I have read correctly in the past. Your gun would also get confiscated as a result. I could be wrong, but seems like the most likely outcome
Minnesota no longer accepts ANY Nevada concealed carry licenses (nor many others). You must either apply for a “non-resident Minnesota license” OR obtain a “resident” or “non-resident” license from an approved state on the Minnesota Reciprocity List, such as Idaho. See below link:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Pages/permit-to-carry-reciprocity.aspx
thanks, have removed Nevada. We intend to do a full update and redesign on this page soon.
Just another excuse to make more money for the state.
why do I need to take a class if I have been honorably discharged from army. there is no better training then the army
I think the class is necessary to learn when NOT to shoot. Extremely important.
That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever read, Jerry. You must have been Infantry…
Take the training. Pay attention. The class helps you prove yourself innocent because the system views you as guilty once you fire on someone.
yeah almost any is better – Semper Fi !!
Revenue…. thanks for your service. Budget it as entertainment…. honestly it is a little scary to me the level of weapon training for non-military. It is one thing to understand engineering of a weapon (good for anyone punching targets in controlled environment) another to decide IF and when (hopefully never) to use in dynamic environment.
Honestly my husband served 20 years and I’m more scared of him with a gun than most other people. The habits they teach are scary!!! Not to mention the class definitely teaches how to handle civilian situations to maintain your innocence. It’s quite a bit more broad spectrum than “this is a gun”…