Minnesota gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
- A permit to carry is required.
- Open carry: A permit to carry is required to carry a pistol in a public place or a vehicle, open or concealed (Minn. Stat. 624.714 subd. 1a). Source
- Permits: Minnesota permit guide
Vehicle transport
Handguns: only with a permit to carry (624.714). Other firearms must be unloaded and in a fully enclosed, fastened gun case, or unloaded in a closed trunk (97B.045 subd. 1). Source
Places where carry is banned
School property, with a reduced penalty for permit holders in some cases (609.66 subd. 1d); private establishments that reasonably ask that firearms not be brought in (624.714 subd. 17). Not a complete list. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: Regulates some assault weapons without a general sales ban. Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff (BCA oversees).
Duty to inform
No duty to volunteer. Permit holders must carry the permit and photo ID and show them on lawful demand by a peace officer (624.714 subd. 1b). Source
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with County sheriff (BCA oversees).
Red-flag law
Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.
Reciprocity
Minnesota recognizes permits from the states on BCA's reciprocity list, some with enhanced/class limits.
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
- dps.mn.gov
- dps.mn.gov
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- www.ncsl.org
- www.revisor.mn.gov
- www.revisor.mn.gov
- www.revisor.mn.gov
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.