Minnesota Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

Yes. Open carry is only with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714 Subd. 1a]

Minnesota gun laws operate, generally, on a shall-issue policy (a sheriff has limited discretion to deny a permit to carry only if there is a “substantial likelihood” that the applicant would be a danger to herself, himself or others if authorized to carry a handgun).

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714]

Yes, a person may possess and use an authorized tear gas compound in the legal exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person's property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container. No person under the age of 16 may possess or use an authorized tear gas compound except by written permission of a parent or guardian.

Minnesota Statutes define "authorized tear gas compound" as a lachrymator or any substance composed of a mixture of a lachrymator including chloroacetophenone, alpha-chloroacetophenone; phenylchloromethylketone, orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile or oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as tear gas; and written instructions as to its use and the dangers involved in its use. 

[Minn. Stat. 624.731]

Yes. Metal-penetrating bullets cannot be used during the commission of a crime.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.7191, subd. 3]

No. Minnesota does not allow constitutional carry.

Yes, with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes. Except firearms are not allowed on the Bayport WMA in Washington County, the Hastings WMA in Dakota County, and the Raguet WMA in Scott and Carver Counties. See the National Parks webpage for links to each Park in Minnesota.

Without a permit, firearms on state park or forest lands must be unloaded and cased and bows unstrung when in, or within 200 feet of, any campground, picnic area, beach, parking lot, interpretive site or trailhead.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714,]
[6230.0200 Subp. 4 MN Admin Rules]
[6100.0800 Subd. 1 MN Admin Rules]
[6100.3600 MN Admin Rules]
[Minn. Stat. § 324.504(8)]

An employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714 Subd. 18.]

Yes, with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes. Otherwise it must be unloaded and either in the closed trunk or in a closed and fastened case, gunbox or securely tied package.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714 Subd. 9(5)]
[Minn. Stat. § 97B.045]

Carry is prohibited while in a public place in any of these situations:

• When a person is under the influence of a controlled substance, as defined in Minn. Stat.§ ​152.01;
• When a person is under the influence of a combination of any two or more of the elements named in Minn. Stat.§ ​152.01 and/or alcohol;
• When a person is under the influence of an intoxicating substance as defined in Minn. Stat. §169A.03, and the person knows or has reason to know that the substance has the capacity to cause impairment;
• When a person is under the influence of alcohol;
• When the person's alcohol concentration is 0.04 or more.

[Minn. Stat. § 624.7142]

As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

No, however, the information is available for law enforcement.

No. Minnesota does not have a red flag law.

Yes. Your Minnesota driver’s license is linked to your Minnesota pistol carry permit. Therefore, a law enforcement officer will be notified immediately that you are a concealed carry permit holder if they run your driver’s license.

No definition of brandishing was found in Minnesota law. However, recklessly handling or using a gun so as to endanger the safety of another, or intentionally pointing a gun, whether loaded or unloaded, at another person is considered a crime.

[Minn. Stat. § 609.66]

18 years old.

[Minn. Stat. 624.713]

Yes. A permit is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm, to keep or carry a firearm at a business, dwelling house, premises or on land possessed by the person. A landlord cannot restrict the lawful carry or possession of firearms by tenants or their guests. 

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714, subd. 9 and subd. 17(f)]

Anyone acquiring a handgun through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) must  have a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol or a Permit to Purchase/Transfer a Firearm. A permit to carry is valid for five years and authorizes unlimited purchases within that time period. Without one of those permits, the FFL must perform a background check. 

No.

To buy or transfer ownership of a firearm in Minnesota, you must have a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol or a Permit to Purchase/Transfer a Firearm.

The application for a Permit to Purchase/Transfer a Firearm must be submitted in person to your local police chief or county sheriff’s office. You must also present your Minnesota driver’s license or state-issued photo ID.

After your application has been submitted, your local police chief or county sheriff’s office will run a background check. Generally this process takes 7 days to complete. Upon clearing the background check, you will be issued a Permit to Purchase/Transfer a Firearm through the mail, which will be valid for 1 year from the date it is issued.

For single-purchase transactions, many gun shops in the state will allow you to apply for a permit to purchase directly at the store. You will still be required to pass a background check before making a purchase. A gun shop may charge for this service. Not every gun shop in the state will process permit applications, per their own discretion.

Link to application

Within 30 days after changing permanent address, the permit holder must notify the issuing Sheriff’s office of the change, loss or destruction. Failure to do so is a petty misdemeanor. The permit holder may obtain an updated permit at a cost of $10.

Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff by following the process below.

New permit to carry will be determined by the county sheriff, not to exceed $100.

Renewal permit (applied for before the expiration date of a current permit to carry) will be determined by the county sheriff, not to exceed $75.

Within 30 days of having lost or destroyed the permit card, the permit holder must notify the issuing sheriff’s office of the loss or destruction. The permit holder must provide a notarized statement that the card has been lost or destroyed. Failure to provide notification as required is a petty misdemeanor. The permit holder may obtain a replacement permit card by paying $10 to the sheriff.

Under Minnesota law, individuals must obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public. There is no stipulation in the law regarding whether that weapon must be concealed. A permit to carry constitutes a permit to purchase. A permit to carry is valid for five years and authorizes unlimited purchases within that time period.

• Public or private elementary, middle or secondary school building and grounds;
• School buses;
• Portion of a building or facility under the temporary, exclusive control of a public or private school where signs are posted;

[Minn. Stat. § 609.66]

• State correctional facilities;
• State hospitals and grounds;
• 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 its employees;

[Minn. Stat. § 624.714];

• A child care center while children are present [Minn. Admin. Rule 9502.0435 Subp. 5];
• Any public place when under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance or any combination thereof [Minn. Stat. § 624.7142];
• Minnesota Zoological Garden [Minn. Admin. Rule 9900.5500];
• Innkeepers may refuse to admit or refuse service or accommodations to any person the innkeeper reasonably believes is bringing firearms into the hotel [Minn. Stat. § 327.73];
• State game refuges [Minn. Stat. § 327.73];
• The Bayport WMA in Washington County, the Hastings WMA in Dakota County, and the Raguet WMA in Scott and Carver Counties [Minn. Admin. Rule 6230.0200 Subp. 4];
• Any jail, lockup or correctional facility [Minn. Stat. § 327.73];
• Minnesota courts have ruled that a church may prohibit firearms from its property, including parking facilities and parking areas owned or operated by the church, and may notify its employees and the public in any manner it chooses; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

Only switchblades are illegal. Knives with utility purposes are legal to carry. Knives that can be used as weapons are legal to carry as long as you do not have intent to harm others. It is illegal to recklessly use a knife that was designed to be a weapon. Dangerous weapons are banned in schools, school buses, courthouses and the State Capitol buildings.

[Minn. Stat. §§ 609.02, 609.66]

Yes, with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes, except when shining.

[Per Pg 23-24 of 2018 MN Hunting & Trapping Regulations]

Yes. A person who has the intent to prevent or disrupt another person from taking or preparing to take a wild animal or enjoyment of the out-of-doors must not disturb or interfere with that person if that person is lawfully taking or preparing to take a wild animal. "Preparing to take a wild animal" includes travel, camping, and other acts that occur on land or water where the affected person has the right or privilege to take lawfully a wild animal.

[Minn. Stat. § 97A.037]