Minnesota Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Minnesota have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Minnesota does not currently ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. As of 2023, background checks are required for most private transfers. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. All dealer sales must go through a federal NICS check. |
| Is Minnesota a Stand Your Ground state? | 🚫 No. Minnesota follows a duty to retreat unless in your home (Castle Doctrine applies). |
| What kind of restrictions does Minnesota have? |
|
| Does Minnesota have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No statewide mandate, but child access prevention laws apply in some cases. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Minnesota? | ✅ Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of firearms you can purchase. |
| Does Minnesota have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) went into effect in 2024. |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Minnesota? | 🚫 No. There is no state-level firearm registration. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | ✅ Yes. A permit to purchase or carry is required for handguns and “semi-auto military-style” rifles. |
| Does Michigan have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Yes. There’s a mandatory 7-day waiting period unless you already have a valid permit. |
🚫 No. Minnesota does not currently ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines.
✅ Yes. As of 2023, background checks are required for most private transfers.
✅ Yes. All dealer sales must go through a federal NICS check.
🚫 No. Minnesota follows a duty to retreat unless in your home (Castle Doctrine applies).
- ⚠️ Permit required to carry in public (Pistol Permit)
- ⚠️ Background checks for dealer & private sales (2023)
- ⚠️ Red flag law effective 2024
- ⚠️ Waiting period for handgun sales (up to 7 days for permits)
⚠️ No statewide mandate, but child access prevention laws apply in some cases.
✅ Yes. There are no restrictions on the number of firearms you can purchase.
✅ Yes. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) went into effect in 2024.
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. There is no state-level firearm registration.
✅ Yes. A permit to purchase or carry is required for handguns and “semi-auto military-style” rifles.
✅ Yes. There’s a mandatory 7-day waiting period unless you already have a valid permit.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Minnesota allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal with a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry (PTC). No separate license for open carry; PTC covers both open and concealed. |
| Does Minnesota allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal with a PTC. Concealed carry is permitted statewide for qualified applicants. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray is legal. Stun guns and Tasers are legal for those 18+, with restrictions. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public places, unless prohibited by law or property owner. Permit required. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Schools, courthouses, state buildings, private property with posted signs, and areas prohibited by federal law. |
| States honored? | ✅ Minnesota honors permits from select states with similar standards (non-resident permits not always accepted). |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Minnesota’s Permit to Carry is recognized in:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. The PTC covers handguns only, not other weapons. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Permits are issued by the Sheriff's office in the county where the applicant resides. |
✅ Legal with a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry (PTC). No separate license for open carry; PTC covers both open and concealed.
✅ Legal with a PTC. Concealed carry is permitted statewide for qualified applicants.
✅ Pepper spray is legal. Stun guns and Tasers are legal for those 18+, with restrictions.
✅ Most public places, unless prohibited by law or property owner. Permit required.
🚫 Schools, courthouses, state buildings, private property with posted signs, and areas prohibited by federal law.
✅ Minnesota honors permits from select states with similar standards (non-resident permits not always accepted).
✅ Minnesota’s Permit to Carry is recognized in:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. The PTC covers handguns only, not other weapons.
ℹ️ Permits are issued by the Sheriff's office in the county where the applicant resides.
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Gun Laws & Legal References | |
| Training & Certification | |
| Gun Safety & Education |
Minnesota Leadership
- Born: April 6, 1964 (West Point, NY)
- Term Started: January 7, 2019
- Previous Role: U.S. Representative
- Born: May 25, 1960 (Plymouth, MN)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2007
- Committees:
- Judiciary
- Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry Rules and Administration
- Born: March 4, 1958 (Madison, WI)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2018
- Committees:
- Finance
- Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP)
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship