Minnesota is a shall issue state, the requires applicants for a permit to carry a weapon be 21 years old. While there is no distinction between open and concealed carry, a permit is required for either. Residents of the state can apply with the sheriff of the county in which they reside. Any nonresident of the state may apply with any sheriff of the state. A fee of $100 or less is required for processing applications. Furthermore, Minnesota requires that applicants have proper training on safely handling firearms to be eligible for a permit to carry. Guidelines are offered for what is adequate firearm safety training. Part of the training involves a live fire exercise, and therefore online only courses are not accepted. Upon issuance, a MN permit is valid for 5 years. Although only a handful of other state permits are accepted by Minnesota, those with a permit to carry issued by Minnesota can carry in 29 other states.
This information was last updated in February 2019.
Table of Contents
Minnesota Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept MN License
# of Years Valid
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Minnesota
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept an Minnesota concealed carry permit or those states that Minnesota will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Minnesota Concealed Carry
- Alabama
- Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arkansas
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Does NOT honor state issued concealed carry permit.
- Michigan
- Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Doe NOT honor state issued concealed carry permit.
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required.
- Virginia
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Doe NOT honor state issued concealed carry permit.
- Wisconsin
Minnesota Will Honor The Following States
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Idaho – Enhanced Permit ONLY
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota – Enhanced Permit ONLY
- West Virginia
How To Apply for a Minnesota Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Minnesota?
Minnesota is a shall issue sate. Individuals will be issued a permit so long as they do not have any traits that would bar them from receiving a concealed permit from the state.
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in MN?
Minnesota requires any person be at least 18 years old in order to possess a firearm or ammunition. However, in order to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm, the applicant must be 21 years old.
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in Minnesota?
Residents of Minnesota should submit their applications to the county sheriff where they reside. Applications must be submitted in person, not electronically.
Relevant Code(s):
How long is an Minnesota concealed carry permit good for?
Minnesota concealed carry permits are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance.
Relevant Code(s):
Does MN issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Minnesota does issue nonresident permits, and an applicant for such permit may submit their packet to any sheriff. Nonresidents must meet the same requirements as applicants for a resident permit.
“Nonresidents, as defined in section 171.01, subdivision 42, may apply to any sheriff“
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
The sheriff of the county will have 30 days to issue or deny a permit. In the event that the applicant is not notified in the allotted time, it constitutes the applicant being issued a permit to carry.
“Failure of the sheriff to notify the applicant of the denial of the application within 30 days after the date of receipt of the application packet constitutes issuance of the permit to carry […]“
Relevant Code(s):
How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
The sheriff may charge an application processing fee when an application is submitted. While the fee may vary, the cost shall not exceed $100.
“The sheriff may charge a new application processing fee in an amount not to exceed the actual and reasonable direct cost of processing the application or $100, whichever is less.“
Relevant Code(s):
What are the accepted forms of competency training?
Minnesota does have a training requirement to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Part of this safe handling of pistol training includes a live fire shooting exercise. Therefore, an online only course would not be accepted.
While Minnesota does lay guidelines for firearms training, it is up to the discretion of the sheriff to decide whether the training is adequate.
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Minnesota
Is Minnesota an Open Carry State?
Minnesota statutes do not declare a difference in carry methods per the Department of Public Safety Website. Therefore, while Minnesota does allow open carry of firearms, a permit to carry is still required.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Minnesota carry permit holders are permitted to conceal carry in a vehicle. However, those without a permit to carry must may transport a firearm in a vehicle only if the firearm is unloaded, and contained in one of the following:
- closed and fastened case
- gunbox
- securely tied package
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
Individuals with a permit to carry a pistol are permitted to carry in state parks. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources cites section 624.714 as the departments policy regarding firearms on state park land.
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
In Minnesota, holders of a permit to carry a concealed firearm may carry into a restaurant. However, if the purveyor of the establishment has posted signage forbidding the carry of firearms the permit holder must obey.
“A person carrying a firearm on or about his or her person or clothes under a permit or otherwise who remains at a private establishment knowing that the operator of the establishment or its agent has made a reasonable request that firearms not be brought into the establishment may be ordered to leave the premises.”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
While I was unable to locate an actual statute, my research revealed that churches and their parking lots are prohibited areas for carrying a firearm even by licensed individuals. Further clarification is contained in the link below.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Carrying concealed into a bank or other financial institution is not expressly forbidden by Minnesota codes. However, before entering into a bank, you should observe any posted signage. Similar to restaurants, banks can prohibit carrying a firearm on their property.
“A person carrying a firearm on or about his or her person or clothes under a permit or otherwise who remains at a private establishment knowing that the operator of the establishment or its agent has made a reasonable request that firearms not be brought into the establishment may be ordered to leave the premises.”
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
Minnesota expressly forbids the carrying of firearms into hospitals. However, it does not indicate whether this extends to other medical facilities. Although other medical facilities are not addressed in Minnesota statutes, permit holders must acknowledge and adhere to any request from a private establishment the prohibits the carrying of firearms on the premises.
Relevant Code(s):
The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.