Minnesota encourages second amendment laws. You can possess a firearm, conceal carry and open carry in the state.

Just like other states, there are firearm regulations.

Therefore, in order not to violate the state gun laws, you must learn how to open carry the right way.

Minnesota Gun Laws Summary

Minnesota issues a permit to carry for the possession of firearms in the state.

The sheriff’s department of a local county is responsible for issuing this permit after going through the application process.

Minnesota is a shall-issue state, so you will most likely get your permit if you meet all the state requirements to own one.

The state also issues a purchase permit for buying firearms, and you must complete the criminal record check if you are buying from a federally or state-licensed dealer.

Private dealers do not have obligations to carry out the check.

Also, your permit to carry a firearm does not make you exempted from the criminal record check.

To transfer firearms in the state, you must obtain a permit for transfer.

The age requirements to apply for a Minnesota permit is twenty-one years old.

Is Open Carry Legal In Minnesota?

Yes. You can open carry in Minnesota if you are twenty-one years old or more, and you have a Minnesota permit to carry firearms.

However, the state has some location restrictions where you must not be with your firearm at all, let alone open carry.

Open Carry Laws In Minnesota

Minnesota is a licensed open carry state, meaning that you cannot open carry firearms without a state permit to do so.

The state prohibits metal bullets and the use of any assault weapons like machine guns except:

  • Law enforcement officers or members of the military using machine guns while on duty.
  • Wardens or officers in a correctional facility or prisons using it while on duty.
  • A person with a license to use such weapons issued by the head of the bureau or criminal investigation.
  • Producers of such firearms who possess them for testing in order to be in the right state for law enforcement officers and warden to use them.
  • Federally licensed dealers who sell such firearms to law enforcement agencies.

Minnesota Open Gun Laws Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.YesYesYou can open carry in Minnesota if you obtain the state permit to carry a firearm.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoThere are no requirements to register firearms in Minnesota, except if you want to make use of machine guns for special reasons.
Assault weapon for open carry.NoNoMinnesota does not permit the use of assault weapons for open carry in the state.
Magazine limitNoNoThe state gun statutes do not mention anything about the limit to a number of magazine rounds that a firearm can contain.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredMinnesota does not issue any other exclusive license for the owner of firearms in the state.
Red flag lawNoNoThere are no red flag laws or any state law that requires a protection or restriction order in Minnesota.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesAlthough there is no explicit castle doctrine policy in Minnesota, the state allows a stand your ground policy and no duty to retreat in dwelling places.
Background check for private dealersNoNoPrivate firearm dealers in Minnesota are under no obligation to carry out a criminal record background check before selling firearms to individuals.
PreemptionYesYesMinnesota has full preemption on gun laws in the state, but local governments still have permission to regulate the use of firearms and other deadly weapons in their jurisdictions.
Concealed carry permit.YesYesWith a Minnesota permit to carry, you can conceal carry in the state.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleYesYesYou can conceal carry in your vehicle, but you must be with your permit to carry, and the firearm must be unloaded and kept away from public sight.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoOpen carry of firearms is not allowed in schools, both middle age and secondary schools, colleges, universities, and other technical institutions in the state.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Minnesota?

Minnesota’s open carry law does not prohibit the possession of firearms in the following places.

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in the restaurants and bars except if you are under the influence, or there is a post that prohibits such.
  • Roadside areas: You can open carry in Minnesota roadside areas as long as you have your permit with you.
  • State forests and parks: You can open carry in state parks and forests. However, you cannot open carry or possess firearms in every wildlife management area in the state.
  • Places of worship: You can open carry in places of worship like churches, mosques, and synagogues except they carry a post prohibiting such practice within the premises,

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Minnesota?

Minnesota gun statutes prohibit the open carry of firearms in the following areas of the state.

  • Schools: It is a prohibition to open carry or possess firearms in any school, privately or publicly owned, school buses, or any school facility.
  • Prisons: You cannot open carry in state prisons, jails, detention homes, or correctional facilities.
  • Private buildings and properties: You cannot open carry or possess a firearm in any private building or property that has posts prohibiting the possession of weapons within their premises.
  • Employment places: As an employee, you cannot open carry at your workplace if your employer prohibits the practice.
  • Daycare center: You cannot open carry in daycare centers or any facility used for holding children in Minnesota.
  • Hotels and lodge homes: You cannot open carry in a hotel or accommodation center that prohibits the use or possession of firearms on their premises.
  • Properties owned by the state: You cannot open carry on a property owned or leased by the Minnesota government.
  • Game refugees: You cannot open carry in any Minnesota game refuge.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in the state capitol building, zoological gardens, or any other areas prohibited by gun law of the USA.

FAQs About Open Carry In Minnesota

Some of Minnesota open carry most frequently asked questions include the following:

Is It Mandatory To Obtain A Permit Before I Open Carry In Minnesota?

Yes. Open carry Minnesota is only possible with a license issued by the state.

Do I Need A Separate License To Open Carry In Minnesota?

No. Minnesota license to carry is valid for both open and concealed carry in the state.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Open Carry Minnesota?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to open carry in Minnesota.

What Is The Minimum Age Requirement For Concealed Carry In Minnesota?

You must be at least twenty-one years old to conceal carry in Minnesota.

At What Age Can I Apply For Minnesota Permit To Carry?

If you are twenty-one or more, you can apply for a permit to carry in Minnesota.

Does Minnesota Have A Red Flag Policy?

No. Minnesota gun statutes do not say anything about restriction or protection orders in the state.

Is Minnesota Permit To Carry Valid For Non-residents Of The State?

Minnesota Permit to carry is available for non-residents of the state, as long as they meet all the requirements to apply for one.

Also, non-residents can carry a firearm in Minnesota with a license from their state of residence.

Also, non-residents can obtain hunters’ licenses for a shooting invitation in the state.

Is Minnesota A Constitutional Carry State?

No. Minnesota prohibits constitutional carry in the state.

Are Knives Available For Open Carry In Minnesota?

Minnesota permits legal possession and open carry of knives in the state as long as they are not unlawfully carrying or with the intent of harming someone or for crime reasons.

Only switchblades and other types of knives manufactured to be weapons are prohibited in the state.

The state also bans the use of illegal weapons in places where open carry and possession of firearms are not allowed.

Does Minnesota Have Firearm Restrictions In The State?

Yes. Assault weapons in the state like machine guns and semi-automatic firearms are not available to all and sundry.

You must own an exclusive license before you use such weapons in Minnesota.

Does Minnesota Issue A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In The State?

Yes. You must have a permit to purchase in Minnesota before buying a handgun.

For other firearms, you can make do with your Minnesota carry permit.

Also, for the transfer of firearms in the state, you must have a firearm transfer permit.

Must I Complete A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying A Firearm In Minnesota?

Yes. If you are purchasing a firearm from a state or federally licensed dealer in Minnesota, you must complete a criminal record background check.

When Will Minnesota Permit To Carry Expire?

Minnesota’s permit to carry is valid for five years, after which you have to renew the license or forfeit it.

How Long Will It Take To Obtain Minnesota Permit To Carry In The State?

The processing period for Minnesota permits to carry is one month.

Am I Obligated To Inform Law Enforcement Officers About Possession Of Firearms In Minnesota?

No. You are not required to notify police you come across about your possession of a firearm.

Is Minnesota A Castle Doctrine State?

Although Minnesota gun statutes do not mention anything about castle doctrine in the state, the state still upholds principles of castle doctrine and no duty to retreat when in one’s dwelling place.

Can I Use Deadly Force While Exercising Self Defense In Minnesota?

Yes. Minnesota allows the use of deadly force when in your honest opinion, you think that an attack can lead to severe bodily harm or an imminent death while trying to defend yourself in your place of residence.

Most I Complete A Firearm Training Class Before Applying For Minnesota Permit To Carry In The State?

You must complete a firearm training class at least one year before you apply for a state permit to carry.

Do I Need To Register A Firearm In Minnesota?

No, there is no requirement to register firearms in the state.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Minnesota

Minnesota gun statutes have some laws that are related to the open carry of firearms in the state.

Ammunition Restriction

Minnesota prohibits any type of metal bullets in the state; therefore, your firearm must not carry this, else you face prosecution.

No Weapon Post

In Minnesota, you can be charged for a misdemeanor if you disobey signage that prohibits the possession of a firearm in a building.

Preemption Laws

Minnesota preempts all gun laws in the state, and the state government has full authority on gun statutes.

However, local government areas in the state can still regulate the shooting of firearms within their jurisdiction.

Brandishing Of Firearms

It is a crime to handle a firearm recklessly in such a way that threatens the life or safety of another person.

Note that for these statues, it does not matter if the firearm is loaded or not.

Possessing Firearms Under The Influence Of Alcohol In The State

It is unlawful to handle firearms in Minnesota if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicating substance.

Under the influence, according to the state laws are:

  • When under the influence of any substance controlled by drug Law Enforcement Officers in the state.
  • When the person is under the influence of not only alcohol but a mixture of substances.
  • When the person’s blood concentration level is more than 0.10.

Open Carry While Hunting

You can lawfully open carry in Minnesota as long as you have a permit to do so. The same thing applies to bow-hunting in the state.

Minnesota has hunter harassment laws to protect hunting activities in the state.

  • In Minnesota, no one shall disturb or interfere with another person such that the hunting of animals is prevented.
  • A person shall also not alter a property used for the taking of animals with activities like camping, traveling, or driving, when the hunter already has legal right to hunt on such promises.
  • Nobody shall prevent or disturb the movement of animals in the wild in such a way that it will eventually affect licensed hunting activity in the state.
  • Also, no trespassing on privately owned land or state forests meant for hunting in the state, without getting permission from the owner or those in charge.

Additional Resources

Minnesota Gun Laws
Minnesota Concealed Carry Laws
Minnesota Gun Permit Laws

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