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CONTACT:
Jill Oliveira
651-793-2726
jill.oliveira@state.mn.us
March 1, 2021
BCA Releases 2020 Permit to Carry Annual Report
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) today released the 2020 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 issued more firearms permits in 2020 than in any other year since the state’s Personal Protection Act was enacted. Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 101,897 permits were applied for and that they issued 96,554 permits in 2020.
| Year |
Permits Issued |
| 2020 |
96,554 |
| 2019 |
51,404 |
| 2018 |
66,053 |
| 2017 |
55,069 |
| 2016 |
71,156 |
| 2015 |
44,696 |
The top five counties for five-year permits issued by sheriffs in 2020 are:
| County |
Permits Issued |
| Hennepin |
11,346 |
| Dakota |
7,754 |
| Anoka |
7,326 |
| Ramsey |
5,990 |
| Washington |
5,679 |
Sheriffs reported there were 103 permits suspended, 36 revoked, 968 voided and 1,191 denied in 2020.
Crimes committed by permit holders
Minnesota sheriffs reported that individuals with permits committed 3,110 crimes in 2020. This is the highest number since the state’s Personal Protection Act was enacted.
- Less than 2 percent were crimes where firearms were used in furtherance of a crime.
- More than 51percent were DWI’s or other traffic offenses.
- 30 percent were from this “Other” category which includes less serious offenses such as city ordinance violations and DNR hunting, fishing and recreational vehicle violations.
As of today, the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 358,897.
About the Minnesota Permit to Carry
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.
Minnesota sheriffs are then required under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. §624.714, subd. 20 (b)) to report their data on gun permit applications, issuances and denials to the BCA. As directed by same statute, the BCA compiles the public information provided by Minnesota sheriffs into its annual report.
The full report is available for viewing on the BCA Website at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Pages/firearms.aspx.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 10 divisions where 2,200 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.
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