Constitutional Carry

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Adopt Constitutional Carry in Minnesota—allowing law-abiding adults to carry a handgun without a permit—while maintaining strong penalties for violent crime, protecting private property rights, and preserving optional training and permits for reciprocity.

Amend Minnesota Statutes §624.714 to:

• Allow permitless concealed and open carry for:
  
  • Adults 21 and older
  • Not otherwise prohibited under state or federal law
• Apply equally to residents and non-residents
• Retain existing prohibitions for:
  
  • Felons
  • Domestic violence offenders
  • Individuals under restraining orders
  • Those adjudicated mentally incompetent

Key principle: Law-abiding citizens should not need government permission to exercise a constitutional right.

Keep the current permit system voluntary, not mandatory.

Benefits:

• Maintains reciprocity with other states
• Allows citizens who want training and documentation to obtain it
• Avoids disruption for current permit holders

This model has worked successfully in states like Arizona, Texas, and Iowa.

Pair Constitutional Carry with tougher consequences for violent offenders:

• Mandatory sentence enhancements for:
  
  • Armed robbery
  • Carjacking
  • Assault with a firearm
• Zero tolerance for carrying while committing a crime
• No plea reductions for repeat violent gun offenders

Message: Carrying legally is protected; using a gun criminally is punished severely.

Codify and clarify sensitive locations, such as:

• Courthouses
• Secure government facilities
• Schools (consistent with existing law)
• Private property where owners prohibit carry

Require uniform signage standards so citizens and law enforcement have clarity.

Require the POST Board to issue:

• Clear protocols on lawful carry encounters
• Prohibition on firearm possession alone as grounds for detention
• Training on constitutional carry states’ best practices

• Retain authority to disarm temporarily during lawful stops when justified
• Maintain strict penalties for interference with law enforcement

This ensures officers remain protected while respecting constitutional rights.

Create a voluntary, non-mandatory training option:

• Partner with gun ranges, veteran groups, and instructors
• Cover legal use of force, safe storage, and conflict avoidance
• Offer incentives such as:
  
  • Reduced permit fees
  • Insurance discounts
  • Recognition for completion

Educate the public on:

• Legal responsibilities of carry
• When use of force is justified
• Safe storage to protect children

Education improves safety without infringing on rights.

Mandate annual public reporting on:

• Violent crime trends
• Firearm-related offenses
• Lawful defensive gun use (where reported)

Require a legislative review to assess:

• Crime impact
• Law enforcement feedback
• Training participation rates

This builds trust and demonstrates seriousness about outcomes.

• Aligns with:
  
  • Second Amendment
  • Minnesota Constitution, Article I, Section 13
• Consistent with U.S. Supreme Court precedent (Heller, McDonald, Bruen)
• Mirrors models in 27+ states that have not seen increases in violent crime attributable to permitless carry

• “Rights with responsibility”
• “Criminal control, not citizen control”
• “Safety through accountability, not bureaucracy”

• Law enforcement leaders supportive of accountability reforms
• Civil liberties advocates
• Rural and urban community leaders
• Domestic violence prevention groups (by emphasizing enforcement against offenders)

If necessary:

• Year 1: Permitless carry for concealed only
• Year 2: Full parity with open carry

This plan makes Minnesota a safe Constitutional Carry state by:

• Restoring a fundamental right
• Targeting criminals instead of citizens
• Supporting law enforcement
• Preserving choice, training, and accountability