Minnesota Carry Laws

Permit to Carry Required

Minnesota requires a Permit to Carry for both open and concealed carry of handguns. No duty to inform, but the permit card and photo ID must be displayed on a peace officer's demand.

Minnesota is shall-issue. Permit required for open and concealed carry. Must complete training. No magazine restrictions. NO duty to volunteer that you are carrying: the permit card and a photo ID must be in immediate possession and displayed on a peace officer's lawful demand, and the holder must disclose whether they are carrying if an officer asks (Minn. Stat. §624.714, subd. 1b). Minn. Stat. §624.714.

Prohibited Places - Where You Cannot Carry

Minnesota: Possessing a dangerous weapon in a courthouse complex or a state building in the Capitol Area is a felony — though permit holders who notify the sheriff or commissioner of public safety are excepted (Minn. Stat. § 609.66 subd. 1g). Carrying a firearm on K-12 school property is a misdemeanor even for permit holders, a felony otherwise (subd. 1d; permit holders may keep a firearm in a motor vehicle).

PROHIBITED PLACES - WHERE YOU CANNOT CARRY
Minnesota

Minnesota: Possessing a dangerous weapon in a courthouse complex or a state building in the Capitol Area is a felony — though permit holders who notify the sheriff or commissioner of public safety are excepted (Minn. Stat. § 609.66 subd. 1g). Carrying a firearm on K-12 school property is a misdemeanor even for permit holders, a felony otherwise (subd. 1d; permit holders may keep a firearm in a motor vehicle).
Authority: Minn. Stat. § 609.66, subd. 1d (school property) and subd. 1g (courthouse complex; Capitol Area state buildings).

Duty to Retreat - Castle Doctrine Only

Minnesota: Castle Doctrine applies (home defense). In public, you may have a duty to retreat if safe before using force.

SELF-DEFENSE LAWS
MINNESOTA LAW
Stand Your Ground: NO
Castle Doctrine: YES
Castle Doctrine. Duty to retreat in public.
WHAT THIS MEANS
CASTLE DOCTRINE
Minnesota recognizes the Castle Doctrine, meaning:
• No duty to retreat in your home
• No statutory presumption about an intruder's intent — Minnesota has no castle-doctrine presumption statute; justification is judged case by case under Minn. Stat. §§ 609.06 and 609.065
• Greater legal protection for home defense

Red Flag Law - ERPO in Effect

Minnesota: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (Minn. Stat. 624.7171).

RED FLAG / EXTREME RISK LAW
Minnesota

Minnesota: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (Minn. Stat. 624.7171).

Authority: Minn. Stat. 624.7171 (extreme risk protection orders; 2023 c 52 art 14 s 2, in effect Jan 1, 2024) — petitioners include chief LE officer/designee, city or county attorney, family or household members, guardian.

Duty to Inform - Only If Asked

Minnesota: No duty to volunteer you are carrying. Must show permit upon request

DUTY TO INFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT
MINNESOTA REQUIREMENT
Type: Only if asked
Must show permit upon request
CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
Lying to an officer about carrying is a crime. If asked, always answer truthfully.

No Magazine Capacity Limit

Minnesota has no state-level magazine capacity restrictions. Standard and extended magazines are legal.

MAGAZINE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS
MINNESOTA LAW
No state restrictions on magazine capacity.
FEDERAL FACILITIES
Note: Some federal facilities may have their own restrictions regardless of state law.

No-Carry Signs - Not Criminal to Ignore

Minnesota: a private establishment must either post a conspicuous sign at every entrance (black Arial lettering at least 1-1/2 inches high on a bright contrasting background reading '(OPERATOR) BANS GUNS IN THESE PREMISES') or personally inform the person and demand compliance — and even then the offense is only a petty misdemeanor (max $25 first offense, not a crime) for a person who refuses to comply or fails to leave when ordered; carrying past the sign is not itself an arrestable crime.

"NO FIREARMS" SIGN LAW
MINNESOTA

Minnesota: a private establishment must either post a conspicuous sign at every entrance (black Arial lettering at least 1-1/2 inches high on a bright contrasting background reading '(OPERATOR) BANS GUNS IN THESE PREMISES') or personally inform the person and demand compliance — and even then the offense is only a petty misdemeanor (max $25 first offense, not a crime) for a person who refuses to comply or fails to leave when ordered; carrying past the sign is not itself an arrestable crime.

Authority: Minn. Stat. § 624.714, subd. 17 (posting; trespass).

Vehicle Transport - Permit or Unloaded-and-Cased Required

Minnesota: With a carry permit you may carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle, but you must display the permit on lawful demand and must disclose whether you are carrying if an officer asks (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 1b); without a permit, a pistol in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package.

VEHICLE TRANSPORT - PERMIT OR UNLOADED-AND-CASED REQUIRED
Minnesota

Minnesota: With a carry permit you may carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle, but you must display the permit on lawful demand and must disclose whether you are carrying if an officer asks (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 1b); without a permit, a pistol in a vehicle must be unloaded and in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package.

Authority: Minnesota Statutes §624.714 (Permit to carry a pistol).