Gun Laws in Minnesota (2026): Critical Rules That Could Surprise You
Most people think they understand gun laws. Then they actually look them up. Minnesota’s gun laws are stricter than you might expect, and they’ve changed a lot recently. Let’s break down what you need to know now.
Honestly, if you own a gun in Minnesota or plan to, this stuff is worth your time.
What Makes Minnesota’s Gun Laws Different?
Minnesota takes a middle-ground approach to gun regulation. The state isn’t the strictest, but it’s definitely not the most relaxed either. You’ll need permits for certain things. Background checks are required more often now. And there are specific rules about who can carry and where.
Right? It’s more complex than just buying a gun and calling it a day.
Here’s the thing. Minnesota passed several major gun safety laws in 2023 and 2024. These changes took effect between August 2023 and January 2024. They’re still pretty new, which means a lot of gun owners are still figuring them out.
Do You Need a Permit to Buy a Gun?
It depends on what you’re buying.
For handguns and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons, yes. You need either a Permit to Purchase or a Permit to Carry. This applies whether you’re buying from a licensed dealer or a private seller.
For traditional shotguns and hunting rifles? No permit required.
The Permit to Purchase process changed in 2023. Your local police chief or county sheriff now has 30 days to process your application. That’s up from seven days. They’ll run a background check during this time.
Stay with me here. This matters whether you’re buying your first gun or your tenth.
Background Checks for Private Sales
This is a big one. As of August 1, 2023, Minnesota requires background checks for almost all private gun sales.
Used to be, you could buy a handgun from your neighbor without any paperwork. Not anymore. If you’re buying or receiving a handgun or semi-automatic military-style assault weapon from a private seller, you need to go through the background check process.
You have two options. First, the person receiving the gun can get a Permit to Purchase or show their Permit to Carry. Second, both of you can go to a licensed gun dealer together. The dealer will run the background check and charge a fee for the service.
Both parties need to keep records of the transfer for 20 years. Yep, 20 years. Failing to do this is a gross misdemeanor.
Exceptions to Background Check Rules
Not everything requires a background check. Some transfers are exempt.
You don’t need permits when transferring guns between immediate family members. This includes your spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. That’s it though. Extended family doesn’t count.
Temporary loans are also exempt in specific situations. You can lend someone a gun at a shooting range, during a hunting trip while you’re both present, or at a firearms safety course. Once they leave those situations, the gun needs to come back.
But here’s where it gets tricky. If you lend your cousin a gun for the weekend so they can go hunting without you? That requires a permit and paperwork. The gun owner doesn’t need to be present for the transfer to require documentation.
Pretty straightforward once you know the rules, right?
Who Can Get a Permit to Carry?
Minnesota is a “shall issue” state for permits to carry. This means if you meet all the requirements, the sheriff must issue your permit.
You must be at least 18 years old. In April 2025, the Supreme Court refused to hear Minnesota’s appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the 21-year-old age requirement. So now 18-20 year olds can legally obtain permits.
You can’t be prohibited from possessing firearms under state or federal law. This includes people with certain felony convictions, domestic violence convictions, or those who’ve been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment.
You need to complete a firearms training course within one year of applying. The training must cover safe handling and the legal aspects of carrying. Military training alone isn’t enough. You’ll need additional training on Minnesota’s specific carry laws.
Permits are good for five years. Then you’ll need to renew.
Where Can You Carry a Gun?
Minnesota doesn’t distinguish between open carry and concealed carry. If you have a valid Permit to Carry, you can carry either way.
Wondering if you need to keep it hidden? Nope. The law doesn’t require concealment.
But there are places you absolutely cannot carry, even with a permit. These include schools and school property, courthouses, some government buildings, and private establishments that post signs prohibiting firearms.
If a business posts a legal notice saying no guns, you need to respect that. The notice needs to be clearly visible at all entrances. Breaking this rule is a petty misdemeanor with a fine up to $25 for first-time offenders.
Minnesota’s Red Flag Law
Minnesota implemented an Extreme Risk Protection Order law on January 1, 2024. People call it the red flag law.
Here’s how it works. Family members, law enforcement, or prosecutors can petition a court to temporarily remove guns from someone who poses a danger to themselves or others.
There are two types of orders. Emergency orders can be issued quickly without a hearing if there’s an immediate danger. These last up to 14 days. Long-term orders require a hearing and can last up to one year.
The law is gaining traction. In 2024, 138 petitions were filed statewide. By November 2025, that number had already reached 263. Experts expect usage to keep growing as more people learn about the process.
Hold on, this part is important. An ERPO doesn’t mean you’ve committed a crime. It’s a civil order designed to prevent harm during a crisis. You have the right to a hearing and can challenge the order.
Gun Storage Requirements
Current Minnesota law is actually pretty limited on storage. It only requires safe storage of loaded firearms when you know or should know a child might access them.
This is a gross misdemeanor. The penalty is up to 364 days in jail.
But here’s where things get interesting. In 2024, the Minnesota House passed a much stricter safe storage bill. It would require all firearms to be stored unloaded with a locking device or in a locked storage unit when not in use. Penalties would range from a petty misdemeanor to a felony, depending on what happens with the unsecured gun.
As of early 2026, that bill hasn’t passed the Senate yet. So the current law remains the more limited version about loaded firearms and children.
This could change soon though. Keep an eye on it.
Prohibited Persons
Minnesota law is clear about who cannot possess firearms. If any of these apply to you, possessing a gun is illegal.
You can’t have a gun if you’ve been convicted of a crime of violence. You can’t have one if you’re a fugitive from justice. People with felony drug convictions are prohibited. So are people under felony indictment.
Domestic violence convictions also prohibit gun ownership. This includes misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, not just felonies.
You can’t possess a gun while under an order for protection or an Extreme Risk Protection Order. People who’ve been involuntarily committed or found mentally ill and dangerous can’t have guns either.
Makes sense, right? These rules exist to keep guns away from people most likely to misuse them.
Penalties for Violations
Breaking Minnesota’s gun laws can result in serious penalties.
Carrying without a permit is a misdemeanor for a first offense. That’s up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Second and subsequent offenses are gross misdemeanors with up to 364 days in jail.
Transferring a gun to someone you know is prohibited? That’s a gross misdemeanor. If that person then uses the gun in a violent crime, you could face felony charges.
Possessing a gun while prohibited is a felony. You’re looking at up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $30,000.
Not carrying your permit card and photo ID when carrying a gun? That’s just a petty misdemeanor with a fine up to $25 for first-time offenders. But don’t make it a habit.
Hunting Regulations Changed in 2026
This one’s pretty recent. In 2025, Minnesota repealed the shotgun-only zone that covered southern Minnesota counties.
For decades, hunters in places like Sibley County could only use shotguns during deer season. That restriction is gone now. Starting with the 2026 deer season, all legal firearms including rifles are permitted statewide.
Basically, the rules are now consistent across Minnesota. Hunters have more options. The old system was considered outdated anyway.
Special Circumstances and Exemptions
Law enforcement officers have different rules. They can carry firearms as part of their official duties without needing a standard Permit to Carry.
Active military members are not automatically exempt from permit requirements. They still need to get training on Minnesota’s specific carry laws and obtain the proper permits.
Antique firearms are exempt from most regulations. But they need to be actual antiques, not just old guns.
Firearms used at designated shooting ranges or facilities have fewer restrictions while you’re at those locations. Once you leave, normal rules apply.
How to Apply for a Permit
Residents apply for permits with their county sheriff. Non-residents can apply at any sheriff’s office in Minnesota.
You’ll need to fill out an application with your personal information and residency history. You’ll authorize the release of mental health records relevant to gun eligibility. And you’ll provide proof of firearms training completed within the past year.
The sheriff has 30 days to approve or deny your application. If denied, you’ll get written notice explaining why.
The cost varies by county but typically runs between $100 and $150 for a five-year permit.
Not sure where to start? Contact your local sheriff’s office. They’ll walk you through the process.
Reciprocity with Other States
Minnesota honors permits from 33 other states. But there’s a catch. The state only honors permits issued to people who are 18 or older now, following the court ruling.
States Minnesota honors include Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, and West Virginia, among others.
If you have a permit from another state, check Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety website for the current reciprocity list. It can change.
What About Constitutional Carry?
Minnesota does not have constitutional carry. You cannot carry a handgun in public without a permit.
There have been bills introduced to change this. As of early 2026, none have passed. You still need that Permit to Carry.
Some people call it permitless carry. Whatever you call it, Minnesota doesn’t allow it.
Recent Legislative Changes
The 2025 legislative session introduced several bills related to firearms. Some are still pending as of February 2026.
One bill would make permits to carry optional rather than required. This was introduced in the 2025-2026 session but hasn’t passed yet.
Another proposed bill would establish a statewide buyback program for semi-automatic military-style assault weapons. It would also prohibit the sale or transfer of such weapons. This bill faces significant opposition and its future is uncertain.
Honestly, gun legislation in Minnesota changes fairly often. What’s true today might be different next year.
Transporting Firearms in Vehicles
You can transport a gun in your vehicle without a permit if it’s unloaded and in a closed case. The case needs to be fastened or the gun needs to be in a secure gunbox.
With a valid Permit to Carry, you can have a loaded gun in your vehicle. It can be on your person or in the vehicle.
Without a permit, having a loaded gun in your vehicle is illegal. Pretty cut and dry.
Gun Shows and Dealer Sales
Licensed dealers must run background checks on all sales. This has always been true. The new laws expanded this to private sales of certain firearms.
At gun shows, licensed dealers still follow all the normal rules. If you’re buying from a dealer at a show, expect a background check.
Private sellers at gun shows now need to follow the same rules as any private sale. For handguns and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons, that means permits and paperwork.
What If Your Gun Is Stolen?
Currently, Minnesota doesn’t require you to report stolen guns. But that might change soon.
Bills have been introduced requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within 48 hours of discovering they’re missing. Failing to do so would be a misdemeanor.
These bills haven’t passed yet. But many gun owners already report stolen guns voluntarily. It’s generally a good idea whether it’s required or not.
Trust me, if your gun is used in a crime, you want documentation showing it was stolen.
Domestic Violence and Guns
Minnesota takes domestic violence seriously when it comes to gun ownership.
If you’re subject to an order for protection related to domestic violence, you can’t possess guns. This applies even to short-term emergency orders.
You need to surrender your firearms within three business days of being served with the order. Law enforcement will store them until the order is lifted.
Violating this is a felony. It’s one of the most strictly enforced gun laws in the state.
Machine Guns and Prohibited Weapons
Some weapons are completely illegal in Minnesota, even with permits.
Machine guns are heavily regulated under federal law. Minnesota follows those restrictions. Binary triggers, which allow a gun to fire on both the pull and release of the trigger, face increasing restrictions.
Sawed-off shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches are illegal. So are rifles with barrels less than 16 inches, unless you have the proper federal tax stamp.
Silencers and suppressors are legal in Minnesota for hunting under certain conditions. You need federal approval first.
January 2026 Incident Sparks National Debate
A controversial shooting in Minneapolis brought Minnesota’s gun laws into the national spotlight in late January 2026.
On January 25, 2026, federal Border Patrol agents shot and killed Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations in south Minneapolis. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that Pretti had a valid permit to carry and was legally armed.
This led to a lot of confusion. FBI Director Kash Patel claimed on Fox News that you cannot bring a loaded firearm to any protest in Minnesota. That statement was completely wrong.
Hold on, this is important. Minnesota gun rights groups immediately corrected the record.
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus stated clearly that there is no prohibition on a permit holder carrying a firearm at a protest or rally in Minnesota. You can carry loaded. You can have multiple magazines. It’s all legal with a valid permit.
Minnesota doesn’t ban guns at demonstrations. More than a dozen states do, but Minnesota isn’t one of them. If you have a Permit to Carry, you can legally carry at protests just like anywhere else in public.
The only actual violation? Pretti reportedly didn’t have his ID with him. Under Minnesota law, you must carry your permit card and a valid photo ID when carrying a gun. Failing to do so is a petty misdemeanor with a fine up to $25 for first-time offenders.
Pretty straightforward rule, honestly.
This incident didn’t change any laws. But it revealed how many people, including federal officials, don’t actually understand Minnesota’s carry laws. The confusion spread nationally before local authorities and gun rights groups corrected the misinformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I carry a gun in my car without a permit?
Only if it’s unloaded and in a closed, fastened case. With a Permit to Carry, you can have a loaded gun in your vehicle.
Do I need a permit to buy a shotgun?
No. Traditional shotguns and hunting rifles don’t require permits. Only handguns and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons need permits.
Can 18-year-olds get a Permit to Carry in Minnesota?
Yes. As of April 2025, the minimum age is 18 after court rulings struck down the previous 21-year-old requirement.
What happens if I let my Permit to Carry expire?
You’ll need to renew it before carrying again. Carrying with an expired permit is the same as carrying without one. That’s a misdemeanor.
Can I give my son a handgun as a gift?
If he’s your immediate family member, yes, without going through the background check process. You should still make sure he’s not a prohibited person.
Can I legally carry a gun at a protest in Minnesota?
Yes. If you have a valid Permit to Carry, you can legally carry at protests and demonstrations. Minnesota has no law prohibiting firearms at protests. You must still carry your permit card and valid photo ID.
Final Thoughts
Minnesota’s gun laws changed significantly between 2023 and 2025. Background checks expanded. Red flag laws were implemented. And court rulings changed who can get permits.
The landscape is still evolving. More changes could come in 2026 and beyond. Bills on safe storage and stolen gun reporting are pending. Constitutional carry proposals keep coming up.
Your best bet? Stay informed. Check with your county sheriff if you have questions. And remember that claiming ignorance won’t help if you break the law.
Now you know the basics. Stay safe, stay legal, and when in doubt, ask a lawyer or your local sheriff’s office.
References
- Minnesota Statutes Chapter 624 – Firearms: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/624
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Firearms Information: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Pages/firearms.aspx
- Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus – Universal Background Checks: https://gunowners.mn/learn/minnesota-laws/ubcs/
- Giffords Law Center – Minnesota Gun Laws: https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/minnesota/
- Minnesota Courts – Extreme Risk Protection Orders: https://www.mncourts.gov/Help-Topics/Extreme-Risk-Protection-Orders.aspx
- Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions – Minnesota ERPO Implementation Guide: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2025/guide-to-minnesotas-red-flag-law
- U.S. Concealed Carry Association – Minnesota Gun Laws: https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/mn-gun-laws/
- KTTC News – Clarifying Minnesota’s Permit to Carry Law (January 2026): https://www.kttc.com/2026/01/27/clarifying-minnesotas-permit-carry-law-following-comments-by-federal-officials/
- FactCheck.org – Patel’s Remarks Conflict With Minnesota Gun Law (January 2026): https://www.factcheck.org/2026/01/patels-remarks-conflict-with-minnesota-gun-law/
