Please do not consider this to be Legal Advice. The following legal information applies to the general application of law. It is not Legal Advice and is not meant as legal counsel to a client about a specific case that could affect the legal liberties and obligations of the person receiving the advice.
A Permit to Carry is not required to carry a gun:
In a person's home, a business owned or managed by the person, or land possessed by the person; a gun show, gun shop, a hunting or target shooting facility, or the woods, fields, or waters where the person is lawfully carrying a gun for the purpose of hunting, target shooting or other lawful activity involving firearms.
Minnesota Permit to Carry a Gun Details
The holder of a permit to carry must have the permit card and a driver's license, state identification card, or other government-issued photo identification in immediate possession at all times when carrying a pistol and must display the permit card and identification document upon lawful demand by a peace officer,
Your Minnesota Permit to Carry authorizes you to carry a handgun:
There is no requirement that you carry your gun concealed or even in a holster
You are allowed to carry “more than one” gun
With some exceptions, your permit allows you to carry your gun:
In a motor vehicle, snowmobile, boat, on or about the person's clothes, or otherwise in possession or control in a public place.
When on public property
When on private property that is open to the public.
"Public place" is property owned, leased, or controlled by a governmental unit or private property that is regularly and frequently open to or made available for use by the public in sufficient numbers to give clear notice of the property's current dedication to public use.
When on private property with permission of the owner.
Employers; public or private trade schools, colleges and universities.
An employer, whether public or private, may establish policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by its employees while acting in the course and scope of employment. Employment related civil sanctions may be invoked for a violation.
Parking Facilities
Safe storage of firearms may not be prohibited in parking facilities owned or operated by Businesses, Employers, Day Care Centers, Public or Private Schools, Colleges, Trade Schools, public parking operators.Exceptions, where carrying a gun, even with a permit, is a violation of Minnesota Law
Carry Prohibitions by Statute
Schools, public or private, grades K-12 including the building and the surrounding improved property owned or leased by the school.
Property under temporary control of a school or a consortium of schools
School buses or any other vehicle used to transport students for school activities
Day care centers, when children are present.
State Hospitals, jails, correctional facilities, lock-ups or prisons, including improved property.
County Courthouses and any court controlled facilities
Properties owned or controlled by U.S. Federal agencies with a prohibition listed in Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and USC 18; Section 930a.
Prohibiting Carry on Private Property open to the public (Policy Exception for private property open to the public):
If the property owner or operator has informed the person carrying the facility has a policy banning carrying guns (this could be with a sign or verbal) and;
The person carrying has been verbally requested by the owner or operator to comply with the policy and;
The person carrying has not complied with the request. The owner or operator may request law enforcement to enforce the request issuing a petty misdemeanor citation for failure to leave when requested.
Issuance of a citation could put the person carrying in violation of 609.605, if they fail to leave the premises after being issued this citation.
Carrying a gun under the influence
Carrying a gun with a blood alcohol over 0.04 is a misdemeanor.
Carrying a gun with a blood alcohol over 0.1 is a misdemeanor; second offense in one year is a gross misdemeanor.
Carrying a gun under the influence of a controlled substance has the same penalty as a blood alcohol over 0.1.
In addition to any criminal penalty, your permit may be revoked or suspended.
You could be fined and/or your permit revoked if you refuse to take a blood or urine test.
You are allowed to speak with an attorney before taking a test for alcohol or controlled substance.
Routine Police Encounters
Be safe, for both you and the officer
You don’t need to volunteer that you are carrying
You don’t know why the officer is stopping you. The officer needs “cause” to stop you, but he doesn’t need to inform you of the cause.
Keep your hands where they can be seen.
Don’t make any unusual or sudden moves
Follow directions
You do need to answer truthfully if you are asked if you are carrying a gun or other weapon. (misdemeanor)
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