It appears the author doesn’t live in a free state and was required to involve the local constabulary in what should be a normal exchange of business. If the chosen firearms outlet could not provide the information necessary for her to feel comfortable with the process, she needed to move on to another establishment. Since it seems there are special state requirements, the gun shop deals with those on every sale and should have been able to guide her accordingly without a special inquiry at the cop shop by her. JMO - I guess her “inner Karen” could not be satisfied without seeking further approval.
It appears the author doesn’t live in a free state and was required to involve the local constabulary in what should be a normal exchange of business. If the chosen firearms outlet could not provide the information necessary for her to feel comfortable with the process, she needed to move on to another establishment. Since it seems there are special state requirements, the gun shop deals with those on every sale and should have been able to guide her accordingly without a special inquiry at the cop shop by her. JMO - I guess her “inner Karen” could not be satisfied without seeking further approval.
Summary of Minnesota Gun Laws
Minnesota gun laws operate on a shall-issue policy. Permits are issued at the local level by the Sheriff’s office in the applicant’s county of residence.
There is no permit, background check or firearm registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.
Open carry is legal with a Minnesota permit to carry or a permit/license from a state that Minnesota honors. There is no stipulation in the law regarding whether that weapon must be concealed. A permit to carry constitutes a permit to purchase.
Concealed carry is legal with a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol (PCP) or a permit from a state Minnesota honors. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a firearms training course. Resident and non-resident permits are available. Non-residents can apply at any sheriff’s office. Permits are not required for transporting a firearm, keeping it at home or keeping it in a place of business. In terms of reciprocity, Minnesota will honor permits from states with similar requirements.
Self-Defense
In terms of self-defense, Minnesota law imposes a duty to retreat, which means that if a person feels threatened, he or she may only use deadly force as a last resort. Although Minnesota doesn’t have a Castle Doctrine law per se, it does recognize the principles of the doctrine because Minnesota law allows a person to use deadly force if the individual reasonably believes that the person or another person is at risk of great bodily harm or death or to prevent a felony from occurring in the person’s home.
Authorized Use of Force
Reasonable force may be used when the following circumstances exist or the actor reasonably believes them to exist, in part:
- When used by any person in resisting or aiding another to resist an offense against the person;
- When used by any person in lawful possession of real or personal property, in resisting a trespass upon or other unlawful interference with such property;
- When used by a parent, guardian, teacher or other lawful custodian of a child or pupil, in the exercise of lawful authority, to restrain or correct such child or pupil;
- When used by a school employee or school bus driver, in the exercise of lawful authority, to restrain a child or pupil, or to prevent bodily harm or death to another; or
- When used by a common carrier in expelling a passenger who refuses to obey a lawful requirement for the conduct of passengers and reasonable care is exercised with regard to the passenger’s personal safety.
Justifiable Taking of Life
The intentional taking of the life of another is only legal if necessary in resisting or preventing an offense which the actor reasonably believes exposes the actor or another to great bodily harm or death or preventing the commission of a felony in the actor’s place of abode.
[Minn. Stat. §§ 609.06 & 609.065]