Concealed Carry in Minnesota

No. A person who carries, holds or possesses a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile or boat, on or about the person, or otherwise in a public place without first obtaining a permit to carry is guilty of a gross misdemeanor (felony for a second or later conviction). No permit is needed to keep or carry a pistol at one's home, business or land; to carry it between the place of purchase, home, business and a repair shop; while hunting or target shooting in the woods, fields or waters; or to transport it unloaded in a closed and fastened case, gunbox or securely tied package.

Permit to carry a pistol, issued by the county sheriff where the applicant resides (nonresidents may apply to any sheriff). Shall-issue: the sheriff 'must issue a permit' to an applicant who has pistol training, meets the age requirement, is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, is not prohibited from possessing firearms and is not in the criminal gang database, unless there is a substantial likelihood the applicant is a danger to self or the public. The statute sets the age at 21, but the portion barring ages 18 to 20 was held unconstitutional in Worth v. Jacobson (8th Cir. 2024), cert. denied (2025). Training within one year before applying must cover the fundamentals of pistol use, an actual shooting qualification exercise, and the legal aspects of carry and use of deadly force, taught by a certified instructor. The sheriff must decide within 30 days. Fees: up to $100 for a new application and up to $75 for a renewal (actual cost if lower). A permit expires five years after issue.

Minnesota honors permits from states not on the Department of Public Safety's annual 'not similar' list. As published by DPS, out-of-state permits valid in Minnesota: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado (permits issued or renewed on or after 8/1/24), Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho (enhanced only), Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts (issued or renewed on or after 8/1/24), Michigan, Mississippi (enhanced only), Missouri, Montana (enhanced only), Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota (Class 1 only), Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota (enhanced only), Tennessee (enhanced only), Texas and West Virginia. Not valid: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Nonresidents may also apply to any Minnesota sheriff for a Minnesota permit.

Possessing a dangerous weapon on school property (public or private K-12 school buildings and improved grounds, school buses, and posted school-use areas) is a felony; for a permit holder carrying a firearm it is a misdemeanor, and permit holders may keep a pistol in their vehicle or carry while placing it in or retrieving it from the vehicle. Weapons are banned (felony) in any courthouse complex and in state buildings in the Capitol Area (other than the National Guard Armory), except that permit holders may carry a pistol if they notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety (the permit itself counts as notice to the commissioner for Capitol Area buildings). Private establishments may ban guns by posting the required sign at every entrance or by personally telling the person; refusing to leave is a petty misdemeanor ($25 maximum for a first offense). Parking areas cannot be posted, and landlords may not restrict tenants' lawful carry.

A firearm may be transported in a motor vehicle only if it is unloaded and in a fully enclosed, fastened gun case, unloaded and in the closed trunk, or a handgun carried in compliance with the permit-to-carry law. Without a permit, a pistol may be transported only unloaded in a closed and fastened case, gunbox or securely tied package. Limited exceptions allow unloaded, uncased long guns (not pistols) at ranges and while hunting outside the Twin Cities metro counties and larger cities.