Minnesota lets you buy a firearm two ways: through a licensed dealer or through a private individual. Both paths have legal requirements. Skip them and you risk a criminal charge, not just a paperwork problem.
This guide covers both paths, the permit pieces that matter, and the official Minnesota resources you should use before completing a transfer.
The Basics: Who Can Buy
Federal and state law disqualify certain people from possessing firearms. You cannot legally buy or receive a firearm if you fall into a prohibited category under Minnesota or federal law.
- Under 18 for long guns.
- Under 21 for handguns purchased from a federally licensed dealer.
- A felony conviction or other disqualifying criminal history.
- Certain domestic violence orders or convictions.
- Specific mental health commitments or adjudications.
- Unlawful use of a controlled substance under federal law.
- Any other prohibited category listed in Minnesota Statutes 624.713.
Minnesota's adult-use cannabis law does not erase the federal issue. The ATF has warned that current marijuana users remain prohibited under federal firearm law even when state law treats cannabis differently. If you use cannabis, understand that conflict before attempting to buy a firearm.
Path 1: Buying From a Licensed Dealer
Buying from a federally licensed firearms dealer is the most familiar path because the paperwork and background check happen at the store.
Handguns and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons
- You need either a Permit to Carry or a Permit to Purchase before the dealer can transfer the firearm.
- If you already hold a Minnesota Permit to Carry, it functions as your purchase permit. No extra purchase permit is required.
- If you do not have a Permit to Carry, apply for a Permit to Purchase through your local police chief or, if your municipality has no police department, your county sheriff.
- At the dealer, you complete ATF Form 4473 and the dealer runs the NICS background check.
- There is no fee for the Permit to Purchase, and it is valid for one year.
Rifles and shotguns
For a standard rifle or shotgun purchased from a dealer, no Minnesota purchase permit is required. You still complete ATF Form 4473 and pass the dealer background check.
Semiautomatic military-style assault weapons
The BCA maintains a specific list of firearms that fall under this classification. If the firearm you want is on that list, treat it like a handgun for transfer purposes: get a Permit to Purchase or use your Permit to Carry first.
Path 2: Buying From a Private Individual
Private sales are legal in Minnesota. For handguns and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons, though, the background check requirement still matters. There are two clean ways to satisfy it.
- The buyer already has a Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry. The seller verifies the permit, and both parties complete and retain the Private Party Record of Transfer when no FFL is involved.
- The buyer and seller jointly appear before an FFL dealer, who conducts the background check on the buyer.
If neither of those happens, the transfer is not legal for a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon unless a listed exception applies. There is no casual handshake workaround for these firearm types.
Standard rifles and shotguns sold privately are different. Minnesota law does not require a state permit or background check for a standard long gun private sale.
Exceptions to the private-transfer background-check requirement exist for certain family transfers, including spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Read Minnesota Statutes 624.7134 before you assume an exception applies to your situation.
Private Transfer Records
When a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon is transferred privately without an FFL, both parties must complete the Private Party Record of Transfer Form and keep a copy for 10 years. That form is not busywork. It is the paper trail showing that the transfer followed the required process.
Quick Reference
| Firearm type | Licensed dealer | Private sale |
|---|---|---|
| Handgun / SAMSAW | Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry, plus ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check. | Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry with a private transfer record, or a joint appearance at an FFL for the background check. |
| Standard rifle / shotgun | ATF Form 4473 and a NICS background check. No Minnesota purchase permit for a standard long gun. | No permit or background check required by Minnesota law for a standard long gun private sale. |
| Permit cost | No fee for a Minnesota Permit to Purchase. | No fee for the permit path. An FFL may charge its own transfer fee. |
| Record keeping | The dealer retains the ATF Form 4473. | When no FFL is involved for a pistol or SAMSAW, both parties keep the Private Party Record of Transfer for 10 years. |
Where Permit Training Fits
If your goal is to carry a pistol in Minnesota, the purchase question is only one piece. You also need approved permit-to-carry training, a certificate of completion, and the sheriff's application process. Tactical Training Solutions offers the classroom portion online with the required in-person qualification afterward, so responsible adults can complete the training step without sitting through an all-day classroom block.
The permit course does not replace the law. It helps you understand the legal boundaries, safe handling expectations, and real-world responsibility that come with carrying a firearm.
Start the online permit courseOfficial Minnesota Resources
Use official sources directly. Third-party summaries can be useful, but they are not the rulebook.
- Minnesota BCA: Firearms Information
- How to Obtain or Transfer a Firearm
- Permit to Purchase/Transfer Application
- Private Party Record of Transfer Form
- Private Party Transfer FAQ
- BCA List of Semiautomatic Military-Style Assault Weapons
- Permit to Carry Information
- Minnesota Statutes 624.713
- Minnesota Statutes 624.7131
- Minnesota Statutes 624.7134
- ATF Minnesota Marijuana Law Clarification
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Permit to Carry to buy a handgun in Minnesota?
No. A Permit to Carry works for purchase purposes, but a Permit to Purchase also satisfies the Minnesota permit requirement for buying or receiving a handgun.
Can a private seller transfer a handgun without going through a dealer?
Yes, but only if the buyer has the required Minnesota permit and the parties complete the required private transfer record. Otherwise, the buyer and seller should appear together at an FFL so the dealer can run the background check.
Does this apply to every rifle and shotgun?
No. Standard rifles and shotguns are treated differently from handguns and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. If the firearm appears on the BCA list, treat it like the restricted category and verify the current rule before transferring it.
Can I rely on this article instead of checking the state resources?
No. This is a general guide. Firearm laws change, and your personal eligibility matters. Check the official links and talk with an attorney if you are unsure.
Bottom Line
For a standard rifle or shotgun, buying from a dealer or a private party is relatively simple: use the required dealer paperwork when buying from a dealer, and understand the private-sale rules when buying from an individual.
For a handgun or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon, the background-check path is not optional. Get your Permit to Carry or Permit to Purchase first, or make sure the transfer runs through an FFL. Skipping that step is not a gray area. It is a violation.
This article summarizes general requirements as of July 2026. State and federal firearm law changes. Verify current requirements at the official links above or consult an attorney before completing a transfer.