Number Of Gun Permits Issued In Minnesota Declined In 2017

Following a spike in 2016, the number of handgun carry permits issued in Minnesota declined by more than 16,000 in 2017, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced Thursday.

The annual report that summarizes data on handgun carry permits in the state found 58,219 permits were applied for and 55,069 were issued in 2017, down from 71,156 in 2016.

Sheriffs reported there were 89 permits suspended, 50 revoked and 658 denied in 2017. People with permits committed 1,335 crimes in 2017, according to authorities. More than 54 percent were DWI’s or other traffic offenses.

As of Thursday the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 282,838.

Year Permits Issued

2017: 55,069
2016: 71,156
2015: 44,696
2014: 41,493
2013: 60,471

The top five counties for five-year permits issued by sheriffs in 2017 are:

• Hennepin 7,029
• Anoka 4,051
• Dakota 3,535
• Ramsey 3,429
• Washington 3,313

The Minnesota Permit to Carry

Minnesota’s Personal Protection Act was first enacted in 2003. Residents must apply for a carry permit at their local sheriff’s office and provide proof of approved firearms training.

Sheriffs then must follow a statutorily-defined process, checking FBI, BCA and DHS records as well as their own data for any disqualifying information.

Minnesota sheriffs are then required under Minnesota law to report their data on gun permit applications, issuances and denials to the BCA. The BCA compiles the public information provided by Minnesota sheriffs into its annual report.

Photo: Transportation Safety Administration via AP