A Minnesota firearm bill of sale records the transfer of ownership of a firearm from the seller to the buyer.
This legal document includes the date and details of the sales transaction, information about the parties involved, and a firearm description.
It’s illegal for a seller to deliver a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon to a buyer in Minnesota until a minimum of five business days after the notice of transfer was delivered to the buyer’s local law enforcement agency (MN Statutes § 624.7132(4)).
Only the sale or transfer of pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons must be reported to the buyer’s local law enforcement agency for background checks.
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
Private residents in Minnesota who can legally purchase and own a firearm are also allowed to sell one in a private transaction.
Requirements
Buyers purchasing a firearm in Minnesota are required to have one of these documents:
A permit to purchase or transfer a firearm in Minnesota is good for one year from the date it is issued, while a permit to carry is valid for five years from the time it’s issued and authorizes unlimited purchases of firearms during that period.
A valid permit to carry constitutes a permit to purchase.
Minnesota state law requires anyone selling or transferring ownership of a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon to report the transfer in writing within three days to the appropriate law enforcement agency in the buyer’s county of residence (MN Statutes § 624.7132).
The form must be signed by both the seller and the potential buyer.
There are exceptions to filing a transfer report including for transfers of antique firearms, transfers to or federally licensed firearms dealers, and if the buyer has a valid permit to purchase or permit to carry.
Restrictions
According to Minnesota Statues§ 624.713, the following individuals in the state are prohibited from owning a firearm:
- Anyone under 18 unless a parent or guardian supervises them or are a member of the armed forces
- Persons with pending legal actions or convictions involving a violent crime in Minnesota or elsewhere
- Individuals who are developmentally disabled or have been committed to a treatment facility for mental illness or have been found incompetent to stand trial for a crime by reason of insanity per 253B.02
- Persons convicted of a misdemeanor within the past three years
- Persons who have been to a drug treatment center for the habitual use of a controlled substance or those currently unlawfully using a controlled substance per 152.01 and 152.02
- Anyone charged with committing a crime of violence who has entered into a diversion agreement with the court, until that diversion is up
- A person convicted of domestic voice against a family or household member within the past three years
- A person convicted of assaulting a family or household member who used a firearm during the assault may not possess a firearm as outlined in their sentencing agreement
- Anyone convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- A fugitive from justice
- Anyone in the United States illegally
- Persons who have been dishonorably discharged from a branch of the United States military
- Any person who has renounced his or her US citizenship
- Individuals who are the subject of an order for protection against another person or persons
- A peace officer informally submitted to a treatment center as outlined in 253B.04
- A person convicted in another state of committing an offense similar to those in 609.224, subdivision 3
- Anyone convicted of the following offenses at the gross misdemeanor level, unless three years elapsed since the date of conviction and, during that time, the person has not been convicted of any other violation of these sections: section 609.229 (crimes committed for the benefit of a gang); 609.2231, subdivision 4 (assaults motivated by bias); 609.255 (false imprisonment); 609.378 (neglect or endangerment of a child); 609.582, subdivision 4 (burglary in the fourth degree); 609.665 (setting a spring gun); 609.71 (riot); or 609.749 (harassment or stalking). (these specified gross misdemeanor convictions include crimes committed in other states or jurisdictions that would have been gross misdemeanors if the conviction occurred in Minnesota)
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Anyone legally eligible to carry or own a firearm in Minnesota may gift or transfer ownership of a firearm to another.
The recipient must also be legally eligible to carry or own and must either have a permit to carry or obtain a permit to purchase/transfer the firearm.
Law enforcement must notify you of a decision within seven days of receiving your application for a permit to purchase/transfer. If you are denied a permit, you can appeal the decision (MN Statutes § 624.7132(13)).
Registration
State law prohibits any government agency from requiring private citizens to register privately-owned firearms that are possessed or carried lawfully per MN Stat § 624.714(20)(d) and MN Statutes § 624.711.
Concealed and Open Carry Permit
You must be 21 years or older to apply for a concealed or open carry permit. Applications to carry a firearm, openly or concealed, in public in Minnesota can be obtained from and submitted to your local sheriff’s office in the county where the buyer resides.
How to Apply
Take the following actions to apply for a concealed and open carry permit.
Step 1 – Get Trained
Complete a firearm safety course as required in MN Stat § 624.714(2)(b)(1).
Step 2 – Fill Out Application
Complete a Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol.
Step 3 – Apply
Submit your application to your local sheriff’s department.
Step 4 – Wait for Approval or Denial
Your sheriff’s office will approve or deny the application within 30 days of receiving it.
Gun Reciprocity
Minnesota recognizes permits to carry from these other states per Stat § 624.714(16).
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Idaho (Enhanced permit only)
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Dakota (Class 1 License only)
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota (Enhanced permit only)
- West Virginia (Regular permit only)
Nonresidents of Minnesota can carry a weapon if they hold a permit from a state with Minnesota reciprocity.
Open Carry
You must obtain a permit to open carry in public per Stat § 624.714.
Minnesota Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of what a Minnesota firearm bill of sale looks like.
