Minnesota Gun Laws

• Expansion of Carry Rights for Young Adults: Following a landmark 2024 ruling by the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals—which the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review in early 2025—Minnesota was forced to lower its Permit to Carry (PTC) age. Adults aged 18 to 20 are now legally eligible to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public.
• Universal Controls and ERPOs: Minnesota continues to heavily enforce its 2023 gun control package, which instituted universal background checks for all pistol and semi-automatic military-style assault weapon transfers, as well as a robust Extreme Risk Protection Order (Red Flag) system.
• Strict Duty to Retreat: The political and judicial climate heavily favors a duty to retreat over "Stand Your Ground" principles. In 2025, the Minnesota legislature rejected attempts to expand self-defense rights following the controversial 2024 State v. Blevins Supreme Court decision, which expanded the duty to retreat even in cases involving threats of fear or assault.

Minnesota is a "Shall Issue" state for a Permit to Carry a Pistol (PTC), administered by the local County Sheriff. The state does not distinguish between concealed and open carry; the PTC allows for both.

• Minimum Age: 18 years old (Updated per 2024/2025 federal court rulings).
• Training Requirements: Applicants must complete a state-approved firearms training course taught by a certified instructor within one year prior to applying. The course must include a live-fire shooting qualification.
• Background Checks: A mandatory state and federal (NICS) background check is conducted by the Sheriff.
• Fingerprints: Minnesota law does not generally require applicants to be fingerprinted for a standard PTC.
• Application Fees: Capped by state law at a maximum of $100.00 for a new permit (valid for 5 years) and $75.00 for a renewal.
• Processing Times: By law, the County Sheriff has 30 days from the receipt of the completed application to issue or deny the permit.

Minnesota regulates specific triggers and ammunition but does not currently ban "assault weapons" or standard capacity magazines at the state level.

• Magazine Capacity: No restrictions. High-capacity and standard-capacity magazines are legal to buy, sell, possess, and carry.
• "Assault Weapon" Bans: None on ownership. However, Minnesota requires you to be 18+ and have a Transferee Permit or a PTC to purchase a "semiautomatic military-style assault weapon."
• Restricted Ammunition: The state explicitly bans the use of metal-penetrating (armor-piercing) ammunition during the commission of a crime.
• Banned Models / Accessories: In 2024, Minnesota formally banned the possession and sale of binary triggers and auto-sears (Glock switches), classifying them as machine guns under state law.

Minnesota places significant legal burdens on individuals who act in self-defense, enforcing a strict duty to retreat in public.

• Stand Your Ground: No. Minnesota does not have a Stand Your Ground law. You are required to attempt to retreat before using deadly force.
• Castle Doctrine: Yes. The state recognizes a duty to retreat in public, but courts have ruled there is no duty to retreat if you are attacked inside your own home (place of abode) and you are preventing a felony.
• Duty to Retreat: Yes. In public, you must exhaust all reasonable avenues of escape before resorting to deadly force. Following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling, this even applies to situations involving threats or "fear" assaults without immediate physical strikes.
• Civil Immunity: No. Minnesota does not provide statutory civil immunity for those who use force in self-defense.

Transportation laws in Minnesota are highly dependent on whether you possess a Permit to Carry.

• Handguns (With PTC): May be transported loaded and accessible, either concealed or openly, anywhere in the passenger compartment.
• Handguns (Without PTC): Must be completely unloaded. The firearm must be enclosed in a securely tied package, closed container, or zippered gun case, and placed in the trunk or rear of the vehicle.
• Long Guns: Must always be completely unloaded and either in a closed gun case or placed in the trunk of the vehicle, regardless of whether the driver holds a PTC.
• Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act: A Minnesota PTC exempts the holder from the federal 1,000-foot buffer zone, though carrying a firearm onto the actual school property remains a severe state violation.

Minnesota mandates universal background checks and requires a specific permit to purchase handguns and military-style rifles.

• Dealer Sales: Requires a Permit to Purchase (or a PTC). The dealer must still run a NICS background check for all sales.
• Private Sales: Universal background checks are required for the private transfer of all pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. The buyer must have a Permit to Purchase or a PTC, and both parties must keep a record of the transfer.
• Waiting Periods: There is no generalized waiting period if you have a Permit to Purchase or PTC. If you do not have a permit, purchasing from a dealer involves a delay of up to 30 days while local police conduct a background check.
• CCW Bypass: A valid Minnesota PTC acts as your Permit to Purchase/Transferee Permit, bypassing the police waiting period for acquisitions, but FFLs must still run a point-of-sale NICS check.

Minnesota actively enforces its Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law, which took effect on January 1, 2024.

• Who Can File: Family or household members, a chief law enforcement officer, a city attorney, or a county attorney can petition the court.
• Process and Duration: A judge can issue an emergency ERPO ex parte (without the respondent present) lasting up to 14 days, requiring the immediate surrender of all firearms. Following a full court hearing, a long-term ERPO can be granted, which lasts between six months and one year.
• Appeal: The respondent has the right to present evidence at the long-term hearing. During the life of a long-term ERPO, the respondent can submit one request to the court to have the order lifted by proving they are no longer a significant danger.

Carrying a pistol in a public place without a valid Permit to Carry is prosecuted as a gross misdemeanor in Minnesota for a first offense, which carries a penalty of up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $3,000. A second or subsequent conviction for carrying without a permit escalates the charge to a felony.

Carrying a firearm on K-12 school property is a severe felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. For PTC holders, carrying into a private business that has properly posted a "Bans Guns in These Premises" sign is not inherently a severe weapons charge; it is a petty misdemeanor (carrying a maximum $300 fine) and does not result in the revocation of the PTC unless the individual refuses to leave the premises when verbally commanded to do so.