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.
Summary table
| Subject / law | Longguns | Handguns | Relevant statutes | Notes |
| State permit required to purchase? | No* | Yes | Permit 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? | No | No | ||
| Assault-style weapon law? | Yes | Yes | Persons 18 and older may purchase assault-style weapons with a permit to purchase. | |
| Magazine Capacity Restriction? | No | No | ||
| Owner license required? | No | No | ||
| Permit required for concealed carry? | N/A | Yes | Shall Issue. Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol required to carry handguns. Concealment is permitted but not required. | |
| Permit required for open carry? | Yes | Yes | Whoever 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, one 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 . | |
| State Preemption of local restrictions? | Yes | Yes | Municipalities may regulate the discharge of firearms within their borders. | |
| NFA weapons restricted? | Yes | Yes | Machine 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? | Yes | Yes | Any legally possessed gun may be transported in a motor vehicle, provided it is unloaded and cased. | |
| Background checks required for private sales? | No* | Yes | https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/624.7132 | Long guns also require a background check if equipped with a pistol grip. As explained in subdivision 2, a background check for a private sale can be more thorough than the background check for a sale through a FFL holder. |
Permits to carry
As of March 1, 2020, there were 301,268 permits issued to carry openly or concealed in Minnesota.- 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 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.
- Sheriff's departments which wrongfully deny an applicant are responsible for reimbursing legal fees incurred by applicant.
Restrictions
- Must be 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
- 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.
Places Prohibited by statute
- K-12 School property
- A childcare center while children are present
- 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 Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
- In federal court facilities or other federal facilities
Some counties have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions.
Sales
Private sales
There are private seller regulations in Minnesota. Private sales do require a background check.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.