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Firearm Permits
Minnesota law requires a permit to purchase or transfer ownership in order to obtain a handgun through a purchase, sale, gift, loan, assignment or other delivery from another person.
Minnesota law requires a valid permit to carry in order to carry a handgun in public. By statute, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for managing all permits to carry in the county. A valid permit to carry also qualifies as a valid permit to purchase/transfer.
Please see the requirements below regarding obtaining a firearm permit. If you have any additional questions regarding firearm permits, please contact the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office at 320-983-8250.
PERMIT TO CARRY
Requirements & Responsibility
Minnesota law requires a valid permit to carry in order to carry a handgun in public. By statute, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for managing all permits to carry in the county. A valid permit to carry also qualifies as a valid permit to purchase/transfer.
Apply for a Permit
The Permit to Carry Application (PDF) will be accepted in person at the Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Permit Process
As established by the Minnesota Citizen’s Personal Protection Act of 2003, permit to carry applicants must be:
- 21 years of age or older
- In compliance with statutory requirements
- Resident of Mille Lacs County (or residents of another state)
- United States citizens
In addition, applicants must complete a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) approved training course. On the MN BCA website, there is a list of business organizations approved to train instructors – enter an address or zip code for the most accurate results.
Documentation – Applicants must submit:
- A completed application form is needed that is accurately completed prior to submission. Please wait to sign and date the application until you present it in person.
- Please submit an original certificate of completed authorized training. Training must be completed within one year prior to the date of application.
- Current DL, state ID card or passport.
Application Fee
An application fee will be charged at the time a completed application is submitted. The application fee is payable by exact cash or check only.
Timeframe
Within 30 business days, you will receive your permit or an explanation of denial. During the application review process, the Sheriff’s Office is prohibited by state law to discuss the application with the applicant.
PERMIT TO PURCHASE
Background Checks
State law requires law enforcement agencies to conduct a series of background-related checks to ensure the eligibility requirements established in state law are met.
Timeline & No Fees
A Permit to Purchase card or a denial letter will be mailed within seven business days. Permits to Purchase are valid for one year. There is no fee.
Apply for a Permit
The Permit to Purchase Application (PDF) will be accepted in person at the Sheriff’s Office, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
Permit Process
- Complete the state application. ALL areas of the application must be filled in completely, signed and dated on the date presented. Falsified applications will be reviewed for possible criminal prosecution.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legal alien. Applicants must have a current Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota ID card or passport with supporting residency documentation on their person at the time of application.
- You must be 21 years old to purchase handguns, or 18 years old to purchase semi-automatic rifles.
- You must not be a fugitive. Any type of warrant (including petty parking) classifies a person as a fugitive.
- You must not be the subject of a restraining order.
- You must not meet any exclusion for permit criteria.
Gun Permits – Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office
- Yes, the doors are open at the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office.
- We are accepting gun permit applications between 8 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Appointments are not necessary.
- If you live within a city limit that has a police department, you must apply for permits to purchase with the police department.
- If you live outside a city limit, purchase applications are accepted at the Sheriff’s Office.
- Applications can be found on the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office website, the Minnesota BCA website (google Minnesota carry permit or Minnesota permit to purchase application), and we do have applications at our office also.
- For permits to purchase, we will need to see a valid and current Minnesota driver’s license or state id.
- For carry permits, we will need to see a valid and current Minnesota driver’s license, state id, or passport, and your original gun training certificate.
- There is a fee for carry permits. We accept checks or cash. If paying with cash, please have the correct amount.
The fee is $100 for a new permit,
Renewals:
the fee is $75 if renewed within 90 days prior to expiration,
the fee is $85 if renewed after the expiration date, but within 30 days
after 31 days, the permit is considered new and the fee is $100