Under Minnesota law, handgun transfers involve any sale, gift, loan, assignment or other delivery to another person. If you possess a valid Minnesota permit to carry a handgun, that permit constitutes a permit to purchase. You do not need to apply for a separate permit to purchase.
There are two options for obtaining a permit to purchase/transfer a firearm described below.
Fill out a Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application/Receipt Permit to Purchase/Transfer
Submit the application (below) 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 seven days of receipt.
New Hope residents may submit a permit to purchase at the front counter of the New Hope Police Department. Applicants must come in person when submitting the application during the hours specified below.
- Permit to Purchase/Transfer Firearm applications will only be accepted 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Permit to purchase applications must be completely filled out and turned in by the applicant. The applicant will be asked to fill in any missing information before department staff will give them a receipt for the application.
- Any application turned in by someone other than the applicant, or received via any way other than in person, will be void and not processed.
Apply Directly at Gun Shop
If you want to make a one-time purchase of a handgun from a dealer and you do not have a permit to purchase, you may apply directly at the gun shop where you will purchase the handgun. The gun shop will require you to complete a consent form that allows them to conduct a name and date-of-birth background check to determine your eligibility to purchase a gun. However, some businesses may choose to follow other business practices. The gun shop is entitled to charge a fee for this service.
Permit to Carry
Permit to carry applications must be submitted to your local Sheriff’s Department and are not available or accepted at the New Hope Police Department. Please go to the Hennepin County website for more information.