Minnesota Firearm Laws - Complete Guide

Comprehensive analysis of Minnesota gun laws, permit requirements, carry regulations, and recent legislative updates for responsible gun owners.

Minnesota Gun Laws at a Glance

Minnesota is not a constitutional carry state. It is a shall‑issue, permit‑required jurisdiction for carrying pistols in public under the state’s Permit to Carry a Pistol (PCP) system. State law broadly preempts local regulation of firearms, while private establishments may restrict carry with proper signage. Minnesota added Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) effective 2024 and expanded background checks for private transfers of pistols and certain rifles in 2023. Reciprocity is limited and curated by the Department of Public Safety.

Permit to Carry (shall‑issue): Statewide carry with a Minnesota permit; permits valid for 5 years
No Constitutional Carry: Permit still required to carry pistols in public
Enhanced Purchase Rules: Permit to purchase/transfer or background check required for pistols and semiautomatic military‑style rifles
ERPO (“Red Flag”): Court orders available since 2024 restrict possession by high‑risk individuals
State Preemption: Firearm regulation largely uniform statewide; private posting rules apply

Areas of Restriction

Concealed Carry

Permit Required

Minnesota requires a permit to carry a pistol in public (open or concealed). As of 2025, adults 18+ who meet all other criteria may qualify, following federal court rulings affecting the prior 21+ minimum.

Minnesota Permit to Carry (PCP) System

Advantages of Licensed Carry

Interstate Recognition: Valid in a limited set of states through reciprocity (varies; verify before travel)
Instant Purchase Alternative: Serves as a transferee permit for pistol/semiauto rifle purchases in Minnesota
Lawful Vehicle Carry: Enables loaded handgun carry in vehicles
Statewide Validity: Effective throughout Minnesota; local governments may not add extra conditions

Application Requirements

Age: 18+ (practical eligibility per court rulings; statute text still references 21)
Background Check: Sheriff review; must not be prohibited under state or federal law and not listed in the gang investigative system
Training Course: Handgun safety, legal aspects, and live‑fire qualification within 1 year before application/renewal; instructor certification within 5 years
Proficiency Demonstration: Certificate from a certified instructor confirming course completion and live‑fire
Fee: Up to $100 for new permits (county‑set); renewals typically up to $75; permit valid 5 years

Disqualifying Factors

Prohibited‑person status under Minnesota or federal law (e.g., certain convictions, restraining orders)
Listed in the criminal gang investigative data system
False statements or fraudulent application
Ineligibility under ERPO or other court orders
Any factor that makes possession unlawful under Minn. Stat. § 624.713 or federal 18 U.S.C. § 922

Prevented Carry: Red Flag Law

This state has a Red Flag law, which allows authorities to restrict a resident’s ability to own or purchase a gun. These are enforced through Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).

Emergency orders are one-sided and only last until a court hearing, when the “red flag” person can present their case, and the judge decides if a final order is necessary.

ERPOs are registered nationally in the NICS, and prevent any new purchases that require a background check.

In effect: since 2024.
Petitioners: law enforcement; family/household; city or county attorneys.
Orders: emergency 14 days; final 6–12 months (renewable).
Firearm Surrender: Required per court order
Purchase Denial: Orders entered in NICS

Open Carry

Handgun Open Carry

Permitted with a Permit: Open carry of a handgun is lawful only for permit holders or those holding a recognized out‑of‑state permit; otherwise prohibited.

Carry Methods

Display/Concealment: Either open or concealed is lawful with a valid permit
ID/Permit On Person: Must possess and display permit and ID on lawful request
Posted Premises: Comply with statutory signage and any personal notice from the operator
Intoxication: Prohibited to carry while under the influence (see below)

Long Gun Open Carry

General Provisions

Public Places: Carrying a rifle or shotgun on or about the person in public is generally unlawful unless exempt (e.g., permit holder, cased/unloaded, hunting/range exceptions)
Case/Vehicle Rules: Long guns in vehicles must be unloaded and cased or in the trunk; specific hunting/range exceptions apply
Age‑Sensitive: Additional penalties for certain long gun carry by under‑21s (semiautomatic military‑style rifles)
Practical Note: Long‑gun carry in urban areas is rare and may prompt law‑enforcement contact

Federal Requirements Applied in Minnesota

Background Check Process

Licensed Dealer Sales: NICS background check required; no state registration
Private Sales: For pistols and semiautomatic military‑style rifles, transfers must be via an FFL with a background check or the transferee must present a valid Minnesota transferee (purchase) permit; otherwise use the statutory transfer‑report process
Out-of-State Purchases: Must comply with federal law and the laws of both states
Prohibited Persons: State and federal prohibitors enforced; ERPO orders bar possession

Age Requirements

Handguns: 21+ to purchase from FFL; private transfers subject to state purchase/permit rules
Long Guns: 18+ from FFL (additional federal age limits may apply to specific items)
Ammunition: 21+ for handgun ammo from FFL; 18+ for rifle/shotgun ammo

Minnesota-Specific Purchase Laws

Waiting Periods

State Waiting Period: For transfers of pistols and semiautomatic military‑style rifles without a transferee permit or carry permit, the report‑of‑transfer process imposes a waiting period up to 30 business days (law enforcement may waive sooner upon completion)
FFL Sales: No separate state waiting period beyond federal checks when buyer presents a valid transferee permit or carry permit

Purchase Limitations

Purchase Limits: None statewide
Registration: No general firearm registration
Permit to Purchase: Required for pistols and semiautomatic military‑style rifles unless transfer occurs via FFL with background check

Prohibited Locations

Absolutely Prohibited Locations

K‑12 School Property: Firearms prohibited (limited exceptions for authorized activities and specific storage in vehicles per law)
Courthouse Complexes: Prohibited unless a permit holder provides advance notice to the county sheriff (plus other statutory exceptions)
Correctional Facilities: Possession prohibited
Secure Airport Areas: Federal “sterile areas” off‑limits regardless of permit
Posted Private Establishments: Enforceable with statutory signage/notice

Government Buildings

Courts and Court Facilities: Prohibited absent sheriff notification by permit holders
State/Local Offices: Generally may not ban permit holders except as provided by statute; posting rules govern access
Jails/Detention Facilities: Prohibited
State Hospitals/Chemical Dependency Facilities: Restrictions apply under state law

Business Prohibition Authority

Signage Language: “(OPERATOR NAME) BANS GUNS IN THESE PREMISES.” with required size/contrast and placement
Personal Notice: Verbal notice demanding compliance is valid
Parking Areas: Businesses and public colleges/employers may not prohibit lawful carry in parking facilities/areas
Landlords: May not prohibit lawful carry by tenants or guests

General Storage Requirements

Negligent Storage Law:

It is a gross misdemeanor to negligently store or leave a loaded firearm where a child under 18 is likely to gain access, unless reasonable steps are taken to secure it. No statewide universal safe‑storage mandate beyond this standard.

Child Access Prevention

Loaded Firearms: Do not leave where a minor can likely access
Reasonable Action: Use locked storage/locking devices and separate ammo when appropriate
Unlawful Entry Exception: Not applicable if access occurred due to a break‑in
Local Ordinances: Some cities may impose additional requirements (no statewide preemption on storage rules outside firearm preemption scope)

Vehicle Storage

General Provisions

Handguns (Permit Holders): May be left in a vehicle consistent with posted‑premises and intoxication laws; always secure from unauthorized access
Long Guns: Must be unloaded and cased or in the trunk (with limited hunting/range exceptions)
Employer Parking: Employers may not prohibit lawful storage in personal vehicles in parking areas
Best Practice: Use a locked container anchored to the vehicle; conceal from view

Transportation Rules

Licensed/Constitutional Carry Holders

Loaded Handgun in Vehicle: Allowed with valid Minnesota or recognized permit
Duty to Display: Must have permit and ID and disclose upon lawful request
Alcohol/Drugs: Carrying while impaired (including ≥ 0.04 BAC) is unlawful
Posted Sites: Respect private postings; remove/secure before entry if required

Unlicensed Individuals

Handguns: Must be unloaded and in a closed, fastened case or in the trunk
Long Guns: Unloaded and cased or trunk; narrow hunting/range exceptions
Direct Travel: Go directly to/from lawful activity (range, gunsmith, buyer/seller)
No Public Carry: No carrying on or about the person in public without a permit

Federal Safe Passage (FOPA)

Lawful Origin and Destination: Legal possession at both locations
Unloaded and Secured: Ammunition separated from firearm
Inaccessible Storage: Locked container or vehicle trunk
Continuous Journey: Minimal stops for necessities only

Self-Defense Laws

Castle Doctrine

Home Protection

No Duty to Retreat at Home: Deadly force may be justified to prevent death or great bodily harm or to prevent a felony in the home
Reasonable Belief Standard: Must reasonably believe force is necessary
Defense of Others: Same standard applies to defense of household members
After‑Incident Duty: Expect investigation; assert right to counsel

Vehicle and Workplace

Vehicle: Self‑defense principles apply; separate vehicle carry rules still govern
Workplace: Defense allowed under general statutes; employer policies may impose discipline
Public Employment Sites: Policies cannot override statutory self‑defense law
Documentation: Report promptly consistent with counsel’s advice

Duty to Retreat (No Stand‑Your‑Ground Statute)

Public Places

Retreat if Safe: In public, a person must retreat if reasonably possible before using deadly force
Aggressor Limitation: Initial aggressors lose self‑defense justification unless they withdraw
Proportionality: Force must match the threat
Location‑Specific Rules: Additional restrictions in sensitive places apply

Legal Protections

Justification Statutes: Minnesota law codifies justified force in defense of self and others
Immunity: Minnesota does not provide a separate civil immunity statute tied to self‑defense shootings
Burden/Proof: Standard criminal procedure applies; consult counsel
Records: Expect evidence collection and potential seizure of firearms post‑incident

Knife and Blade Laws

Maximum Legal Blade Length

State Maximum: No statewide maximum blade length
Local Preemption: No statewide knife preemption; check local ordinances

Categories of Knives

Minnesota regulates certain “dangerous weapons,” but most common knives are legal unless carried with unlawful intent or in prohibited locations.

Prohibited and Federally Regulated Knives

Switchblades: Prohibited to manufacture, transfer, or possess
Ballistic Knives: Prohibited under federal law in interstate commerce; treat as unlawful
Federal Interstate Ban: Both switchblades and ballistic knives restricted under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1241–1245

State-Specific Legal Knives

Gravity Knives: Not specifically addressed; treated as ordinary knives unless used unlawfully
Butterfly/Balisong Knives: Not specifically prohibited; legality depends on use/location
Assisted-Opening Knives: Generally lawful; treated as standard folding knives
Concealed/Disguised Knives: May be treated as dangerous weapons if designed to evade detection; avoid in sensitive locations

Generally Legal Knives

Pocket/Folding Knives: No state blade‑length limit; local limits may exist
Fixed/Utility Knives: Generally lawful; observe location restrictions (e.g., schools, courthouses)

Carry Restrictions

Concealed Carry: No statewide ban specific to knives; unlawful intent or prohibited places still apply
Open Carry: Generally lawful subject to location restrictions
Restricted Locations: Schools, courthouses, and posted premises; follow firearm‑analogous rules where applicable

Local Ordinance Preemption

Preemption Status: No state knife preemption; verify city/county rules (e.g., potential local blade‑length or location restrictions)

Significant Differences from Gun Laws

Registration/Permits: No permit or registration for knives
Sensitive Places: Knife prohibitions mirror firearm rules in many settings but can be broader under “dangerous weapon” provisions
Age Rules: No statewide minimum age for general knife possession, but school and juvenile rules apply