ST. PAUL — The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) today released the 2014 Permit to Carry Report, an annual report summarizing data submitted by Minnesota law enforcement agencies regarding applications made for handgun carry permits as well as data about permit holders.
Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 43,315 permits were applied for and that they issued 41,493 permits in 2014, down by nearly one-third from the number issued in 2013.
| 2014 |
41,493 |
|---|
| 2013 |
60,471 |
|---|
| 2012 |
31,657 |
|---|
| 2011 |
20,772 |
|---|
| 2010 |
17,240 |
|---|
The top five counties for permits issued in 2014 are:
| Hennepin |
5,279 |
|---|
| Anoka |
2,951 |
|---|
| Dakota |
2,691 |
|---|
| Ramsey |
2,415 |
|---|
| St. Louis |
2,263 |
|---|
Sheriffs reported there were 15 permits suspended, 6 revoked, 22 voided and 422 denied in 2014.
As of today, the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 189,075.
Crimes committed by permit holders
Minnesota law enforcement agencies reported that individuals with permits committed 1,320 crimes in 2014. More than half were DWI’s or other traffic offenses.
Minnesota’s Personal Protection Act was first enacted in 2003. Permits were first eligible for renewal in 2008. Individuals wishing to obtain a Minnesota Permit to Carry must apply for the permit at their local sheriff’s office and provide proof of approved firearms training. Sheriffs then must follow a statutorily-defined process, checking FBI, BCA and DHS records as well as their own data for any disqualifying information. Individuals denied a permit have the right to appeal the denial.
Law enforcement agencies are then required to report their data on gun permit applications, issuances and denials to the BCA. The BCA compiles the public information provided by Minnesota law enforcement agencies into its annual report.
The full report is available for viewing by going to the BCA Website at bca.dps.mn.gov, clicking on Statistics/Reports and then Permit to Carry.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
DPS comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides investigative and specialized law enforcement services to prevent and solve crimes in partnership with law enforcement, public safety and criminal justice agencies. Services include criminal justice training, forensic laboratory analysis, criminal histories and investigations.
Recent BCA Activity
- BCA agents and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force investigated a case along with local law enforcement that led to a Nashwauk man pleading guilty to financially exploiting his uncle out of more than $1 million.
- A Virginia man faces 25 years in prison for robbing a bank and abducting his estranged wife. BCA agents worked with local law enforcement and the FBI to track him down in Mexico.
- A Medicine Lake man faces criminal charges after DNA evidence tested at the BCA laboratory linked him to two crime scenes.
- An Eyota woman has been indicted for obtaining prescription painkillers using stolen identities. BCA agents, along with Rochester police, the DEA and the Social Security Administration conducted the investigation.
- The BCA Calibration Laboratory became the first calibration lab in the Midwest and one of only 16 in the nation to achieve international accreditation.
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