July 19, 2021 by Vernon Vie
The MCPPA (Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act) provides for valid permit holders the ability to carry a loaded pistol/handgun in public, whether carried openly or concealed. A Minnesota “Permit to Carry a Pistol” is often referred to as a “Carry Permit”, “Permit to Carry”, “Conceal and Carry” or “Concealed Carry”. These terms are typically used interchangeably, although the MCPPA does not require permit holders to conceal their pistol.
In the state of Minnesota, adults who meet certain criteria can obtain a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol by completing a few relatively easy steps:
Complete a Permit To Carry training course taught by an instructor/organization that has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Public safety.
Upon successful completion of your training course, you will receive a signed and dated certificate of completion from your instructor. This certificate is considered valid for 1 year from the printed date. (In other words, you have 1 year to submit your permit to carry application before the certificate expires)
Submit an application for a Permit to Carry in person at the Sheriff’s Office of the county in which you reside. (Application fee will not exceed $100)
Bring your completed application(filled out but not signed), a legible photocopy of your photo I.D., Training Completion Certificate(I suggest both the original and a photocopy), and required application fee with you to the Sheriff’s Office.
After your application has been submitted, the Sheriff’s Office will conduct a background check using the Minnesota Crime Information System and the National Instant Check System(NICS). These background checks are basically to verify that you are not a known gang member or convicted felon, are not mentally ill, and are not considered a danger to yourself or to the public. From the date your application is submitted, your County Sheriff has 30 days to either issue your permit, or deny your application in writing. If you do not receive any notification from the Sheriff after 30 days, the permit is considered issued. (Pretty neat, huh?)
When you receive your permit, it will be valid for 5 years starting from the date it was issued. The expiration date will be printed on the top right-hand corner of the front of your card. Take note of this date, as you will need to complete another Permit to Carry training course and submit another application for your permit renewal at least 30 days prior to the expiration date.
If your Permit to Carry application is denied
You can review the Sheriff’s reasons for the denial and appeal the decision in a couple of ways:
By administrative appeal, basically write a letter to the Sheriff and address the concerns outlined in the denial notice.
By requesting a hearing at the appropriate district court. This hearing will be in front of a Judge and the Sheriff will need to provide solid evidence proving that your ineligibility for the permit, otherwise the Judge will order the Sheriff to issue the permit and the Sheriff’s office will be responsible for the court costs and attorney fees.
That’s pretty much it! In my opinion, obtaining a Permit to Carry in Minnesota is quick and painless…especially when compared to other states (like Illinois) who have a much more extensive set of requirements for obtaining a carry permit.
Important things to consider when selecting an instructor for your Minnesota Permit to Carry class:
Is the instructor/organization listed on the Minnesota DPS approved instructor list? If they are not, your application could be denied by the Sheriff’s office.
Do they offer in-person classes or are they online only/webcasts? While online training classes may be convenient, they could also be problematic for a number of reasons. A live-fire shooting qualification is part of the training requirement for your permit…this is not possible over the internet and would certainly cost you extra time, money, and be a substantial inconvenience to figure out how to complete the range requirement on your own. Additionally, there are many nuances to firearm safety and proper firearms operation that would be very difficult(if not impossible) to learn via webcast.
What is the student to teacher ratio for the class? Firearms training is serious business. You will likely need a certain amount of personal interaction with with the instructor in order to maximize your learning experience. As with any sort of education, smaller class sizes typically produce, higher learning comprehension, greater information retention, and better results. Being a part of a smaller, more intimate class can help you be more engaged and feel like you are actually part of a conversation and not just part of a lecture.
Does the instructor have any credible reviews available? Establishing a trustful relationship with your instructor can be the difference between having a fantastic training experience and a horrible one. It is your instructor’s duty to keep you safe, comfortable, and well informed when under their authority. It is very important that your instructor takes the time to address your concerns, questions and ideas…especially if you are new to firearms. Some instructors tend to be arrogant, flippant, and sometimes can be abrasive. This does not produce an optimal learning environment, especially when firearms are involved.
Are they willing and able to make accommodations for persons with special needs? For example: Turning away a student who is in a wheelchair, or is an amputee, etc. Everyone who meets the legal requirements in Minnesota has the right to obtain a Permit to Carry and should be treated with dignity, honor, and respect.
Are they fully insured AND trained in emergency first aid? If everyone follows the universal firearms safety rules, shooting is a VERY safe activity. But let’s be honest, rules are sometimes broken, and accidents can happen. It is extremely important that your instructor is capable of handling these types of situations.
What is the range situation like? Will you be completing your range qualification at an outdoor private range, or an indoor public one? Indoor public ranges can be overwhelming, hectic, and very intimidating for new shooters. It is best to choose an instructor with access to a private shooting range, ideally an outdoor one(if weather permits). Outdoor private ranges can be significantly less stressful, and more fun!
Do they have Women’s-Only class options available? Let’s be honest here: it can be intimidating(or downright scary) to be a first time shooter. Having the option to be in a class with only other ladies has many benefits. For example: Men and Women tend to differ in their clothing choices…Women sometimes find it difficult or uncomfortable to carry a gun. It can be beneficial to be in an environment where those kinds of topics are understood and addressed, rather than being dismissed or avoided.
Does the instructor train on a regular basis? It is sometimes said: “those who can’t do, teach”. One of the pitfalls of being a firearms instructor is the tendency to let one’s skills deteriorate or teaching methods become stagnant. This is unacceptable. Just as in any other industry, instructors need to be open-minded to new ideas and principles. They should strive to be on the cutting edge of new information and be willing to integrate it into their curriculum. Continued training and skills acquisition (practice!) are two of the foundations for success when teaching just about anything. Firearms are no exception.
In summary, obtaining a Permit to Carry a Pistol in Minnesota is as easy as 1, 2, 3, but finding the best training and living up to your responsibilities as a legally armed Minnesotan can be far more challenging. Carrying a loaded firearm in public is something to be taken with due consideration, and is definitely not for everyone. However, should you choose to exercise your right to self defense it is your duty to be the best, most well informed, most responsible citizen possible. I urge you to not let a one-day permit class be the pinnacle of your firearms training journey, but to practice weekly, become proficient with your firearm, to seek out further guidance, and never stop learning.
