Gun Background Check Laws in Minnesota

2026 Complete Legal Guide

Here is what you need to know about gun background check laws in Minnesota.

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Gun Background Check Laws In Minnesota Overview

Private Sales: Background check required for handgun transfers. No background check required for private long gun sales.
Dealer Background Checks: FBI NICS direct — Minnesota is not a point-of-contact state.
Permit to Purchase: A Minnesota Transferee Permit (Permit to Purchase) or valid Permit to Carry is required for private handgun and assault weapon purchases — required.
Waiting Period: Minnesota requires a 30-day waiting period for handgun and assault weapon purchases from dealers (effective August 1, 2023, Minn
Firearm Registration: Not required.
Optional Minnesota Permit to Carry: Minnesota Permit to Carry. A valid Minnesota Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry qualifies as an alternative to the NICS check at licensed dealers for covered firearms.
Minimum Purchase Age (Dealer): 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns.
Minimum Purchase Age (Private Party): 18 for all firearms.

Table of Contents

What Is a Gun Background Check

A gun background check in Minnesota works through the FBI NICS system for all licensed dealer sales — Minnesota dealers contact the FBI directly, not a state agency. Checks typically complete in minutes. For private handgun transfers, Minnesota requires a background check through the state permit system. Private long gun sales may proceed without a background check.

For any firearm purchase from a licensed FFL dealer in Minnesota, the dealer contacts FBI NICS directly to initiate the background check. The buyer completes ATF Form 4473. Holders of a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry are exempt from the background check at the point of sale — A valid Minnesota Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry qualifies as an alternative to the NICS check at licensed dealers for covered firearms. Minnesota requires a 30-day waiting period for handgun and assault weapon purchases from dealers (effective August 1, 2023, Minn. Stat. § 624.7132).

Minnesota requires a background check for private handgun transfers. Minnesota requires a background check for all private handgun and assault weapon transfers. Private buyers must have a valid Permit to Purchase or a valid Permit to Carry. Private long gun sales do not require a background check. Private long gun sales between individuals may proceed without a background check. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(d)) prohibits knowingly selling to a prohibited person. GunTransfer.com helps Minnesota sellers document every transfer.

Felony convictions
Domestic violence convictions
Restraining orders
Mental health adjudications
Illegal drug use

All firearm purchases from licensed FFL dealers in Minnesota require a federal NICS background check, unless the buyer holds a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry. A Minnesota Transferee Permit (Permit to Purchase) or valid Permit to Carry is required for private handgun and assault weapon purchases. Federal minimums apply for dealer purchases: 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns. Minnesota has no firearm registration.

Who Must Pass a Gun Background Check

Individuals who may be prohibited from possessing firearms include:

If a background check returns a denial, the buyer may appeal through the appropriate agency. Minnesota prohibits certain categories of persons from possessing firearms under state and federal law, including those convicted of felonies, those convicted of domestic violence offenses, and those subject to qualifying restraining orders — mirroring federal prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).

Convicted felons
Individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses
Individuals subject to restraining orders
Unlawful users of controlled substances
Individuals adjudicated mentally incompetent

In Minnesota, all firearm purchases from licensed FFL dealers require a NICS check through the FBI, or a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry in lieu of the check. After approval, Minnesota has a 30-day waiting period. Minnesota has no firearm registration and no requirement to submit any records of private sales to any government agency.

Gun Background Checks When Buying from Dealers

The process generally works as follows:

For dealer sales, once the background check is approved (or a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry is verified), the firearm may be transferred — Minnesota has a 30-day waiting period. The FFL retains ATF Form 4473 per federal law. Minnesota has no firearm registration and no requirement to report or submit any private sale records to any government agency.

The buyer selects a firearm from a licensed dealer.
The buyer completes ATF Form 4473.
The dealer submits the background check request through the FBI NICS system.
The background check is approved, delayed, or denied.

Licensed firearm dealers in Minnesota must comply with federal FFL requirements. Dealers contact FBI NICS directly for every sale, or verify a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry in lieu of the check. Minnesota has no assault weapons ban, no magazine capacity limits beyond federal law, and no state-level dealer licensing beyond the federal FFL.

Minnesota does not require background checks for private long gun sales — these may proceed between individuals without FFL involvement. For private handgun transfers, a background check is required through the state permit system.

Private Firearm Sales in Minnesota

For a private firearm sale in Minnesota, no background check is required by state law. Best practice is to verify the buyer appears eligible, ask direct questions about prohibited-person status, and complete a written bill of sale documenting the transfer date, firearm description (make, model, serial number), and both parties’ identification. GunTransfer.com provides tools to create a proper bill of sale and document every private transfer — protecting sellers from future liability.

Minnesota’s firearm transfer framework requires private sales to be processed through a licensed dealer. Relevant statutes include: Minn. Stat. § 624.7131; Minn. Stat. § 624.7132. Transfers between immediate family members may be exempt — consult the applicable statutes for details.

Because Minnesota requires all private firearm sales to be processed through a licensed dealer, GunTransfer.com helps Minnesota buyers and sellers connect, locate an FFL, and understand the transfer process. GunTransfer.com helps Minnesota buyers and sellers in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester and statewide navigate every step of the transfer process.

Many Minnesota firearm owners use GunTransfer.com to connect with buyers or sellers and navigate the state’s required dealer transfer process. GunTransfer.com helps Minnesota residents find licensed dealers, understand the paperwork, and complete every transfer legally and efficiently.

The Minnesota FBI NICS Background Check System

The FBI NICS system checks multiple databases, including:

When a dealer contacts FBI NICS, the system returns Proceed, Denied, or Delayed. For a Proceed, Minnesota has a 30-day waiting period before the firearm may be transferred. For a Delay, the dealer must wait up to 3 business days before a default-proceed may apply. For a Denial, the transfer is prohibited and the buyer may appeal to the appropriate agency. Minnesota Permit to Carry holders bypass this entire process at the dealer counter.

Criminal history records
Domestic violence records
Restraining order records
Mental health adjudications

Minnesota requires a 30-day waiting period for handgun and assault weapon purchases from dealers (effective August 1, 2023, Minn. Stat. § 624.7132). Holders of a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry may be exempt from the waiting period — check state law for current exemptions.

APPROVED

The buyer is legally eligible to purchase the firearm.

DELAYED

The background check requires additional review.

DENIED

The buyer is legally prohibited from purchasing the firearm.

Waiting Periods in Minnesota

For Minnesota Permit to Carry holders, the dealer transfer is immediate — no background check, no wait. For non-permit buyers, the 30-day waiting period applies. The FFL retains ATF Form 4473 per federal law.

If the background check agency does not return a response within 3 business days of a dealer check, the dealer may proceed with the transfer at their discretion under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1)). Minnesota trusts its dealers and respects the federal framework. Minnesota Permit to Carry holders bypass the check entirely and experience the fastest possible dealer transfer.

Firearms purchased online by Minnesota residents must be shipped to a licensed Minnesota FFL dealer. The receiving FFL contacts FBI NICS for a background check (or verifies a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry). Minnesota has no assault weapons ban, no magazine capacity restrictions, and no firearm registration. The federal minimum age of 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns applies to dealer transfers. Buyers should confirm the receiving dealer’s transfer fee before completing an online purchase. Minnesota has a 30-day waiting period after the background check for dealer transfers.

Online Gun Purchases and Background Checks in Minnesota

When purchasing a firearm online:

For Minnesota Permit to Carry holders, the Minnesota FFL dealer may immediately release the firearm with no separate background check required. For standard buyers, immediate release follows a Proceed result (after the 30-day waiting period). Buyers should confirm the receiving dealer’s transfer fee before completing an online purchase.

The firearm is shipped to a licensed firearm dealer.
The buyer completes the required paperwork.
The buyer must pass the background check.

Federal law regulates firearm purchases across state lines.

Interstate Firearm Purchases in Minnesota

Minnesota residents purchasing firearms from out-of-state sellers must have the firearm shipped to a licensed Minnesota FFL dealer. The receiving FFL contacts FBI NICS for the background check (or verifies a qualifying Minnesota Permit to Carry). Minnesota residents may purchase long guns from dealers in other states if eligible under both states’ laws. Minnesota Permit to Carry holders may use their permit for reciprocity when traveling to states that honor Minnesota permits.

Certain firearm purchases are illegal under federal law.

Illegal Firearm Purchases and Straw Purchases

Examples of illegal firearm transactions include:

These types of illegal purchases are commonly known as straw purchases and can result in serious criminal penalties.

Purchasing a firearm for someone who is prohibited from owning one
Falsifying information on firearm purchase forms
Attempting to bypass required background checks

Minnesota firearm owners use GunTransfer.com to document private transfers and understand their federal obligations. Minnesota’s gun laws — no registration — reflect the state’s commitment to Second Amendment rights. GunTransfer.com keeps Minnesota residents in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, Duluth informed and protected with every private transfer.

Why Minnesota Residents Use Gun Transfer

GunTransfer provides a secure system that helps:

Proper documentation is important for every firearm transfer in Minnesota. GunTransfer.com makes it easy for Minnesota residents from Minneapolis to Duluth and everywhere across the Land of 10,000 Lakes to connect with licensed dealers, document their transfers, and stay protected under both state and federal law.

Document firearm ownership transfers
Record firearm serial numbers
Maintain firearm transaction history
Create proof of private firearm transactions
Promote responsible firearm ownership

Transfers Stopped For Safety Thanks To Gun Transfer!

Responsible Firearm Ownership in Minnesota

GunTransfer.com helps Minnesota firearm owners navigate the state’s background check requirements for private sales. Whether you are buying or selling in Minnesota, GunTransfer.com is the smart choice for every responsible transfer — connecting you with licensed dealers and keeping your documentation complete.

Understanding firearm laws
Ensuring legal firearm transfers
Storing firearms safely
Maintaining documentation of firearm ownership

Frequently Asked
Questions

Do private gun sales require background checks in Minnesota?

It depends. Minnesota requires a background check for private handgun transfers — these must go through the state permit system. Private long gun sales (rifles, shotguns) between individuals do not require a background check. GunTransfer.com helps document both types of transfers.

Do gun stores require background checks in Minnesota?

Yes. Licensed dealers must run a NICS background check through the FBI before completing any sale. If you hold a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry, you can skip the background check at the dealer.

Are there waiting periods for gun purchases in Minnesota?

Minnesota requires a 30-day waiting period for handgun and assault weapon purchases from dealers (effective August 1, 2023, Minn. Holders of a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry may be exempt — check current state law.

Do online gun purchases require background checks?

Yes, but only through a licensed dealer. Online purchases must be shipped to a licensed Minnesota FFL dealer who will run a background check through FBI NICS before releasing the firearm to you. Minnesota Permit to Carry holders can skip the background check at the dealer. A 30-day waiting period applies after the background check clears.

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Minnesota Gun Law Resources: Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — Permit to Carry | Minnesota Statutes § 624.7131 — Transferee Permit | Minnesota Statutes § 624.7132 — Transfer of Pistols and Semiautomatic Military-Style Assault Weapons | FBI NICS — National Instant Criminal Background Check System

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