Minnesota carry status overview
Minnesota requires a Permit to Carry (PTC) to carry a concealed handgun. The permit is issued by County sheriff of applicant's residence on a shall-issue basis — meaning the issuing authority must grant the permit if the applicant meets all statutory requirements.
| Concealed carry | Permit to Carry (PTC) required |
| Governing law | Minnesota Statutes § 624.714 |
| Minimum age | 18 years oldLowered from 21 by federal court order in Worth v. Jacobson (8th Cir. 2024), final when the Supreme Court denied review April 21, 2025. The 21+ text remains in § 624.714(2)(b)(2) but is permanently enjoined. |
| Vehicle carry | Valid PTC required for loaded carry in vehicle. |
| Issuing authority | County sheriff of applicant's residence |
| Process | Shall-issue — must be granted if requirements are met |
Minnesota Permit to Carry (PTC) — permit details
| Issuing authority | County sheriff of applicant's residence |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Training required | Yes — training certificate from a certified instructor |
| Background check | Yes — state and FBI NICS |
| Application | https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/Firearms.aspx ↗ |
Key prohibited locations
- K–12 school buildings and grounds
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Law enforcement and correctional facilities
- Secure areas of airports
- Any location prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Always verify the complete prohibited locations list at the official statute source.
The 18–20 age change — why the statute still says 21
Minnesota's permit age is one of the most commonly mis-stated facts in national carry guides, because the change came from a courtroom rather than the legislature and the statute was never rewritten to match.
In 2021 the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition and three individual young adults sued over § 624.714(2)(b)(2), which barred anyone under 21 from obtaining a permit to carry. A federal district court struck the limit down in March 2023. On July 16, 2024, a unanimous Eighth Circuit panel affirmed in Worth v. Jacobson, holding that Minnesota had not met its burden of showing a historical tradition supporting a categorical ban on 18–20 year-olds bearing arms in public. On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the state's petition for certiorari, ending the litigation.
Practical effect: county sheriffs must accept and process applications from qualified 18–20 year-olds. A refusal on age grounds alone conflicts with a binding federal injunction.
Because the Eighth Circuit's jurisdiction covers seven states — Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota — Worth is binding precedent across that entire region, not just Minnesota.
Reciprocity after the ruling
The age ruling had a knock-on effect on reciprocity. Minnesota had historically declined to recognise permits from states that issued to people under 21, on the grounds that those permits did not match Minnesota's own standard. Once that standard was struck down, the mismatch disappeared.
Following the decision, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety expanded its recognised-permit list to 33 states. If you last checked Minnesota's reciprocity before 2025, the list you saw is out of date — and it was out of date in the restrictive direction, so it is worth re-checking rather than assuming your permit still isn't honoured.
Reciprocity lists change administratively and without much publicity. Confirm the current list with MN DPS before travelling rather than relying on any third-party table, including this one.
Frequently asked questions — Minnesota
How do I get a Minnesota carry permit?
Apply through the sheriff of the county where you live. You will need to complete the application, be at least 18, complete required training with a certified instructor, pass a background check, and pay the applicable fee. Minnesota is shall-issue, meaning the permit must be granted if you meet all requirements.
Can an 18, 19 or 20 year-old get a Minnesota permit to carry?
Yes. Since April 21, 2025, Minnesota county sheriffs must accept and process permit applications from 18–20 year-olds. This came from federal litigation, not the legislature: the Eighth Circuit held in Worth v. Jacobson (July 16, 2024) that excluding 18–20 year-olds from carry permits fails the Bruen standard, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case on April 21, 2025. Because it is a court ruling rather than a statutory amendment, the 21+ language still appears in Minnesota Statutes § 624.714(2)(b)(2) — it is simply unenforceable. If a sheriff's office turns away a qualified applicant under 21, that refusal conflicts with a binding federal injunction.
Can I carry in my car without a permit in Minnesota?
Valid PTC required for loaded carry in vehicle. Without a permit, additional restrictions may apply — verify specific vehicle carry rules with the official statute.
Does Minnesota honor out-of-state carry permits?
Minnesota recognizes valid carry permits from states that have a reciprocity agreement. Verify the current reciprocity list with County sheriff of applicant's residence or the state attorney general's office, as agreements can change.