Feds sue Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul over gun waits
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, challenging the state's handgun and regulated-rifle waiting-period and permit-to-purchase laws.[1] The suit seeks a court order to block enforcement of the waiting-period and permit-to-purchase provisions while leaving public carry-permit laws untouched.[1]
Under Minnesota law, most residents without a carry permit must either wait up to 30 days after filing a transferee report or obtain an annual permit to purchase, which itself can take up to 30 days.[1]
The complaint says Minneapolis and St. Paul routinely exceed the 30-day processing window and that delays can reach nearly 60 days, with no statutory penalty for agencies that miss the deadline.[1] Federal officials say roughly 93% of Minnesotans — more than 5.4 million people — do not hold carry permits and are therefore subject to these purchase delays.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- DOJ filed a civil lawsuit against Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul over the state’s handgun and regulated‑rifle waiting period and permit‑to‑purchase laws.
- Under current law, most residents without a carry permit must either wait up to 30 days after filing a transferee report or obtain an annual permit to purchase, which itself can take up to 30 days.
- The complaint alleges that in Minneapolis and St. Paul, processing often exceeds 30 days and can reach nearly 60 days, with no statutory penalty for agencies that miss the deadline.
- Federal officials say roughly 93% of Minnesotans — more than 5.4 million people — do not hold carry permits and are therefore subject to these purchase delays.
- The suit seeks a court order blocking enforcement of the waiting‑period and permit‑to‑purchase provisions while leaving public carry‑permit laws untouched.
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