Buying a Gun in Minnesota

A person under 18 may not possess a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon (or ammunition), except with a parent or guardian present, for military drill, at an approved range under supervision, or after an approved safety course; violation is a felony. Furnishing a firearm or ammunition to a minor under 18 in a municipality without the prior consent of the parent/guardian or the police is a felony (up to 10 years). Transfers of pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons to persons under 18 are separately penalized under the transfer-report law. No separate state minimum age to buy a long gun was found beyond these rules.

Yes, for pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. An unlicensed person may not transfer a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon to another unlicensed person unless the transfer is done through a federally licensed dealer (who runs the background check as if selling from inventory) or the buyer shows a valid transferee permit and photo ID. A transferee permit (issued by the local police chief or sheriff after a state and NICS check, free of charge, within 30 days) is valid for one year; a permit to carry also counts as a transferee permit. Private sales of other rifles and shotguns are not covered.

For pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons transferred under a report of transfer (the route used when the buyer has no transferee permit or carry permit), the gun may not be delivered until 30 days after the transfer report is delivered to the police chief or sheriff, unless the chief or sheriff waives all or part of the wait (for example after finding the buyer is not disqualified). There is no wait when the buyer presents a valid transferee permit or permit to carry. No waiting period applies to other long guns.

Receiving or possessing a firearm that is not identified by a serial number, or one whose serial number has been removed or altered, is a crime punishable by up to five years and/or a $10,000 fine. The statute defines 'serial number or other identification' by reference to the federal National Firearms Act marking rules (26 U.S.C. 5842). No separate Minnesota law on unfinished frames, receivers or kits was found.