Title: Permit to Purchase/Transfer a Firearm
Alternate Title:
Description:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
Subject: Firearms
Creation Date: 7/8/2009 12:12:26 PM
Modification Date: 6/13/2025 8:09:22 AM
Agency Name: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
Agency Description:
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Emergency Communication Networks, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Office of Justice Programs, State Fire Marshal, Pipeline Safety, State Highway Patrol, Capitol Security and Traffic Safety.
Agency Phone: 651-201-7000
Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov
Agency Address: Public Safety (DPS), Minnesota Dept. of
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul
MN
55101
Division Name: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca
Division Description:
Division Phone: 651-793-7000 -24 Hours
Division Fax: Division URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca
Division Address:
1430 Maryland Ave. East
St. Paul
MN 55106
Audience: Hold
Application URL:
Renewal URL:
Versa URL:
Requirements:
Review:
How to obtain or transfer a firearm
Certain firearm transfers (purchase, gift, loan, etc.) require a background check. You can get a background check by obtaining a Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry.
A Permit to Carry can be used to purchase a firearm with no additional permits needed.
If you don’t have a Permit to Carry, you’ll need a Permit to Purchase to obtain a pistol or a semi-automatic military-style assault weapon.
Obtaining a Permit to Purchase
Here is the process for obtaining a Permit to Purchase.
- Fill out a Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application/Receipt Permit to Purchase/Transfer
- Submit the application to your local police chief or, if your municipality does not have a police department, to your county's sheriff.
- The law enforcement agency will conduct a series of background-related checks to assure you meet eligibility requirements established in state law.
- Once those checks are complete, a one-year permit to purchase a handgun in Minnesota will be issued. If you are applying for a permit to transfer the law enforcement agency must notify you of its status within 30 days of receipt.
Private party transfer
Certain private party transfers of pistols or semi-automatic military-style assault weapons require background checks. A background check is conducted in one of two ways:
- The buyer undergoes a background check when obtaining a Permit to Purchase.
- Both the buyer and the seller jointly appear before a federally licensed firearms dealer who conducts a background check on the buyer.
Private parties who transfer a pistol or semi-automatic military-style assault without the assistance of a federally licensed firearms dealer must complete the Private Party Transfer Form and keep it for 10 years.
There are many exceptions including transfers between spouses, domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren.
Read frequently asked questions about private party transfers.
Semi-Automatic Military-Style Assault Weapons
Rules:
Statutes: 624.7131
Forms:
Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application/Receipt Permit to Purchase/Transfer
Application form is available at Permit to Purchase/Transfer
Fees: There are no fees associated with this permit.
Period of Issuance:
One year.
Length of Determination: Within thirty days of receipt.
Other Info:
Activity: Firearms
Permit to Carry
License Detail URL:
Permit to Purchase/Transfer
Firearms
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)
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