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). Permits are issued at the local level by the Sheriff’s office in the applicant’s county of residence.
Both open carry and concealed carry are legal with a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol (PCP) or a permit from a state Minnesota honors, as there is no stipulation in the law regarding whether that weapon must be concealed. On March 31, 2023, a federal judge struck down a Minnesota law requiring a person to be at least 21 before obtaining a permit to carry a handgun in public, finding it violated the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In July of 2024, the Eighth Circuit Court struck down the law prohibiting 18-20 years olds from obtaining a Permit to Carry a Pistol. In April of 2025, the Supreme Court refused to take up the state's case to reinstate the ban. Therefore, the law is no longer enforceable and 18-20 year olds are able to obtain a permit. Resident and non-resident permits are available. Non-residents can apply at any sheriff’s office. Permits are not required for transporting a firearm, keeping it at home or keeping it in a place of business. In terms of reciprocity, Minnesota will honor permits from states with similar requirements.
Where can I carry with my Minnesota permit?
Yes
Yes, Constitutional Carry
Yes, Other Restrictions
No
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Important Firearm Laws
brandishing?
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.
red flag law?
Yes, as of January 1, 2024.
public access to concealed carry registry?
No, however, the information is available for law enforcement.
"no weapons allowed" signs enforced?
No. It is considered a petty misdemeanor if a reasonable request is made that firearms not be brought into the establishment or if a conspicuous sign is prominently posted at every entrance and there is a refusal to leave.
carry while using alcohol or a controlled substance?
Carry is prohibited while in a public place in any of these situations:
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.
duty to inform officer you're carrying?
There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Minnesota unless the officer asks.
driver's license linked to carry permit?
Yes. Your Minnesota driver’s license is linked to your Minnesota pistol carry permit.
preemption?
Yes. There is full state preemption of all gun laws, except that local governments may regulate the discharge of firearms. In addition, according to statue, a person may sue a government official personally, and seek damages and attorney fees, for allegedly violating the state’s preemption statute.
[Minn. Stat. § 471.633][Minn. Stat. § 624.717][Minn. Stat. § 624.7192(e)]
non-resident permitting?
Yes. Non-residents may apply for permits following the same process as Minnesota residents.
Carry Basics
ammunition restrictions?
Yes. Metal-penetrating bullets cannot be used during the commission of a crime.
open carry permitted?
Yes. Open carry is only with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes.
magazine limits for handguns?
No. Minnesota does not have magazine capacity restrictions.
constitutional carry?
No. Minnesota does not allow constitutional carry.
gun permit licensure?
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).
weapons other than handguns allowed?
No. A concealed carry permit does not allow you to carry weapons other than handguns.
minimum age for concealed carry?
In July of 2024, the Eighth Circuit Court struck down the law prohibiting 18-20 years olds from obtaining a Permit to Carry a Pistol. Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to decline Minnesota's appeal in Worth v. Jacobson in April of 2025, individuals aged 18 to 20 in Minnesota are now legally permitted to apply for a permit to carry a handgun in public.
byrna's?
Yes, it is legal for purchase and possession. Byrna guns are not classified as firearms under Minnesota law.
non-lethal weapons?
STUN GUNS and Tasers are legal to purchase and possess without a permit, but a background check is required. A person may possess and use an electronic incapacitation device in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person’s property only if the electronic incapacitation device is labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use and the dangers involved in its use
PEPPER SPRAY - Legal for self-defense purposes. Minnesota imposes no restrictions on size or concentration.
TEAR GAS - Legal for self-defense but subject to general misuse laws.
BEAR SPRAY - Legal for self-defense against wildlife. There are no specific state restrictions, but misuse against humans could lead to legal consequences.
BLUDGEONS AND BATONS - Expandable batons are legal to own and carry in Minnesota. Batons are not classified as "dangerous weapons," so they can be carried openly or concealed without a permit.
Items such as billy clubs, slapjacks, and nightsticks are also legal unless used with criminal intent.
BRASS KNUCKLES - Strictly Illegal in Minneosta.
Handgun Purchase & Possession
minnesota permit exempts from background check?
No.
minimum age to possess and transport?
18 years old.
handgun registration?
No. Handguns do not need to be registered in Minnesota.
waiting period?
There is no waiting period after purchasing a handgun in Minnesota with a permit or a Permit to Purchase/Transfer. Without one of those permits, upon the purchase of a handgun from a FFL, there is a five- to seven-day waiting period (unless the chief of police or sheriff waives all or a portion of the waiting period).
possess a handgun on my private property without a permit?
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.
handgun purchase process
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.
background checks for private gun sales?
Yes. As of August 1st, 2023, both the owner and the recipient must fill out a record of transfer about the gun and themselves, and authorities will have 30 days to process the transfer.
A sheriff or chief of police can deny an application. They must give the applicant written notification on why there was a denial, including the source of the information. The applicant can appeal the decision but has only 20 days to do so and will be responsible for their own legal and court fees.
purchase permits?
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.
Top Gun Laws & Concealed Carry Permit Information For Minnesota Residents
Concealed Carry Basics Faq
carry while gun hunting?
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]
wear a covid mask & carry?
Although Minnesota Statute makes it illegal to wear a mask with the intention to conceal one’s identity, Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck has stated that under this statute, it is legal to wear a mask for medical treatment, and that would extend to wearing one to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
hunter harassment law?
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.
what are the knife laws in minnesota?
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.
carry while bow hunting?
Yes, with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes.
Name/Address Changes:
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.
Valid For:
5 years
Fees:
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.
Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:
Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff by following the process below.
Requirements:
An applicant must:
*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Minnesota.
Residency Changes:
Moving to Minnesota and interested in applying for a resident permit? How soon can you apply?Minnesota issues resident and non-resident permits, so you can apply for your permit at any time. In order to apply for a resident permit, you may need to provide a Minnesota driver's license or state ID.
Moving from Minnesota and have a Minnesota resident permit? Does that permit transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Minnesota permit remains valid?If a person with a Minnesota permit to concealed carry establishes residency in another state, the permit is valid until it expires provided he or she submits the above referenced name/address change form.
Lost/Stolen Permits:
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.
Processing Time:
30 days (but can take up to 6 weeks)
Application:
Step 1:
Complete a firearms training course within 1 year of your application.
Step 2:
Download the application or pick one up from your county sheriff's office.
Step 3:
Submit the following documents to the sheriff's office for the county in which you reside (non-residents must apply in-person to any Minnesota county sheriff):
Pay the fee.
Step 4:
You will be notified if your application has been approved.
carry in bars/restaurants that serve alcohol?
Yes, there is no statute making it illegal to concealed carry with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes in a bar or restaurant, unless posted, and provided you are not under the influence ("under the influence" is defined as >0.04 blood alcohol level).
carry in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas (wmas)?
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)]
tribal land
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa - No
Prairie Island Indian Community - No
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians - No
carry/possess at a hotel?
An innkeeper may refuse to admit or refuse service or accommodations to any person the innkeeper reasonably believes is bringing firearms into the hotel. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about it's concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information.
store in a vehicle in an employee parking lot?
An employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.
carry at roadside rest areas?
A loaded handgun may be carried only with a Minnesota license to carry or a permit from a state Minnesota recognizes.
carry in vehicle?
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.
Self-Defense
In terms of self-defense, Minnesota law imposes a duty to retreat, which means that if a person feels threatened, he or she may only use deadly force as a last resort. Although Minnesota doesn’t have a Castle Doctrine law per se, it does recognize the principles of the doctrine because Minnesota law allows a person to use deadly force if the individual reasonably believes that the person or another person is at risk of great bodily harm or death or to prevent a felony from occurring in the person’s home.
Justifiable Taking of Life
The intentional taking of the life of another is only legal if necessary in resisting or preventing an offense which the actor reasonably believes exposes the actor or another to great bodily harm or death or preventing the commission of a felony in the actor’s place of abode.
Authorized Use of Force
Reasonable force may be used when the following circumstances exist or the actor reasonably believes them to exist, in part:
Minnesota Gun Law Updates
DateDetails
2025-04-07
Added non-lethal weapons to Carry Basics section.
2024-12-11
Added tribal land information to the carry locations section.
2023-08-01
Updated page to reflect red flag law taking effect
2021-05-18
Added info on driver's license link to permit in At A Glance table
2021-04-21
Added info on handguns on rental property in At A Glance table
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