Minnesota is a "shall issue" State, but there are a few simple requirements before a Sheriff can issue a permit.

An applicant must take a class from an instructor certified to conduct the class. Although the State does not mandate a specific curriculum, a typical class covers general information on the legalities of being a permit holder, including basic safety and usage, conflict avoidance, use of force, where carrying is allowed and rights/responsibilities of permit holders.  You do not need to be a Minnesota resident to take a class and apply for the permit.

The State of Minnesota also requires a shooting exercise, but does not specifiy any particular course of fire or other qualification standard.  The standard I use is.. "Can the applicant safely load and discharge their firearm with reasonable self-defense accuracy."

Once the applicant successfully completes the class and range exercise, a course certificate of completion is issued.  This certificate is then taken (along with a completed application form that we provide) to a local Sheriff for processing.  A Minnesota resident must apply in person to the Sheriff of their County of residence; a resident of any other State may apply to any Sheriff within the State of Minnesota. 

Typically the Sheriff will charge $100 as an application fee; a few counties do charge less, but they are allowed (in general) to charge "up to $100", therefore most do !

A background check will be done by the Sheriff, and assuming no disqualifying issues arise, the permit will be issued within 30 days.  It is valid for 5 years. The permit also acts as a "permit to purchase", meaning that a permit holder will not need to seek the additional Permit to Purchase for the full five year term of their Permit to Carry.

I do classes nearly any day that a local person might wish to attend a class;  i.e., a class of one person is fine!  Give me a call or send an e-mail and we can get a class for you!

Also, you might want to click on the link for Buy The Book....the book is a great reference for carrying in general and for Minnesota specifically.