Minnesota Concealed Carry CCW Laws and Information

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must complete an application form
• Must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm under Minnesota Statute 624.714
• Must not be listed in the criminal gang investigation system
• Must be a resident of the county from which you are requesting a permit, if you reside in Minnesota. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff.
• Must provide certificate of completed authorized firearms training. Training by a certified instructor and completed within one year of an original or renewal application. (624.714, Subd. 2a)

A permit to carry is not required of a person: (Minnesota Statute 6624.714, Subd. 9)

• To keep or carry about the person's place of business, dwelling house, premises or on land possessed by the person a pistol;
• To carry a pistol from a place of purchase to the person's dwelling house or place of business, or from the person's dwelling house or place of business to or from a place where repairing is done, to have the pistol repaired;
• To carry a pistol between the person's dwelling house and place of business;
• To carry a pistol in the woods or fields or upon the waters of this state for the purpose of hunting or of target shooting in a safe area;
• To transport a pistol in a motor vehicle, snowmobile or boat if the pistol is unloaded, contained in a closed and fastened case, gun box, or securely tied package.

Minnesota CCW Reciprocity Map

States that Honor Minnesota's CCW Permit:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas*, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan*, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia

* Honors RESIDENTIAL Minnesota permits only.

State CCW Permits that Minnesota Honors:

Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming,

Frequently Asked CCW Questions:

Where can I get a permit to carry a pistol?
For Minnesota residents, individuals may obtain permits to carry a pistol by submitting an application and other related documentation to the sheriff in the county where the applicant resides. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff

What are the requirements for getting a permit to carry?
Must be at least 21 years of age. Must complete an application form. Must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm. Must not be listed in the criminal gang investigation system. Must be a resident of the county from which you are requesting a permit if you reside in Minnesota. Non-residents may apply to any Minnesota county sheriff. Must provide certificate of completed authorized firearms training. Training by a certified instructor and completed within one year prior to applying for a permit to carry.

Where can I get an application?
Applications will be available at the county sheriff’s office and on the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s website: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/bca/CJIS/Documents/CarryPermit/PermittoCarry.html

What about CCW and hunting
Minnesota permits CCW permit holders to carry legal concealed personal-defense handguns while traveling to the hunting area and from the hunting area. The CCW handgun must be cased and unloaded in the hunting area. 2007 Hunting regulations: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/2007/full_regs.pdf

If I have a permit to carry a pistol do I have to conceal the pistol?
No. Minnesota’s Personal Protection Act is a permit to carry law, not a conceal and carry law. The pistol does not need to be concealed, but can be concealed.

Do members of the military need to take additional firearms training in order to apply for a permit to carry?
Although members of the military received superb firearms training, they must receive training from an instructor that has been certified by an approved business organization in Minnesota. This additional training pertains to the legal aspects of “permit to carry issues”. Military members can contact their local sheriff’s department for further clarification and consideration

If I am a non-resident, must I take an approved firearms training class in Minnesota in order to get a Minnesota permit to carry?
No. You are only required to present evidence that you have received training in the safe use of a pistol from an organization or government entity that has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in accordance with the department’s standards.

Minnesota laws authorize individuals holding gun permits from the following states to carry in Minnesota:
Alaska Arkansas Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Missouri New Mexico Nevada Ohio Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Utah Wyoming Please note that the permit issued by your state does not supersede Minnesota’s laws or regulations. Legal conduct in your state may not be legal in Minnesota.

On an annual basis, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is directed to establish and publish an on-line Internet listing of states, which have handgun carry permit laws that are not substantially similar to Minnesota’s law under Minnesota Session Laws 2003, Chapter 28, Article 2 Section 21, Minn. Stat. 624.714 Subd 16. The department has determined that laws of the following states are not substantially similar to Minnesota (or have no handgun permit provisions) and are not valid in Minnesota:
Alabama Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina North Dakota Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin