Certain firearm transfers (purchase, gift, loan, etc.) require a background check. You can get a background check by obtaining a Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry.

A Permit to Carry can be used to purchase a firearm with no additional permits needed. 

If you don’t have a Permit to Carry, you’ll need a Permit to Purchase to obtain a pistol or a semi-automatic military-style assault weapon.

Obtaining a Permit to Purchase

Here is the process for obtaining a Permit to Purchase.

1. Fill out a Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application/Receipt Permit to Purchase/Transfer. 
2. Submit the application to your local police chief or, if your municipality does not have a police department, to your county's sheriff. 
3. The law enforcement agency will conduct a series of background-related checks to assure you meet eligibility requirements established in state law.
4. Once those checks are complete, a one-year permit to purchase a handgun in Minnesota will be issued. If you are applying for a permit to transfer the law enforcement agency must notify you of its status within 30 days of receipt.

Private party transfer

Certain private party transfers of pistols or semi-automatic military-style assault weapons require background checks. A background check is conducted in one of two ways: 

• The buyer undergoes a background check when obtaining a Permit to Purchase.
• Both the buyer and the seller jointly appear before a federally licensed firearms dealer who conducts a background check on the buyer.

Private parties who transfer a pistol or semi-automatic military-style assault without the assistance of a federally licensed firearms dealer must complete the Private Party Transfer Form and keep it for 10 years. 

There are many exceptions including transfers between spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren.

Read frequently asked questions about private party transfers.

Semi-Automatic Military-Style Assault Weapons

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is required to publish a list of firearms included within the definition of “semiautomatic military-style assault weapon” by Minnesota Statutes, section § 624.712, subdivision 8.

If you wish to obtain a firearm that appears on the List of Semi-Automatic Military-Style Assault Weapons you must obtain a Permit to Purchase.