Last Updated: Sep 13, 2026
Minnesota passed major gun law reforms in 2023 that took effect August 1, 2023 — expanding background check requirements to private sales of handguns and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons (SAMSAWs). Long gun private sales are still exempt. Every handgun or SAMSAW private transfer now requires the buyer to hold either a Permit to Purchase (free, valid one year, takes up to 30 days) or a Permit to Carry. The seller must also report the transfer to the local chief of police where the buyer resides. This Bill of Sale documents the permit number, agreed price, and transfer details — your private record that supplements the required state reporting.
Minnesota vs. Midwest Neighbors: 2026 Comparison
| Feature | Minnesota (MN) | Wisconsin (WI) | Iowa (IA) | North Dakota (ND) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Handgun Permit | Mandatory | No | Optional (for background skip) | No |
| Private Sale Reporting | Mandatory (Handguns) | No | No | No |
| Constitutional Carry | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Assault Weapon Permit | Yes (SAMSAW) | No | No | No |
| Red Flag Law | Yes (ERPO) | No | No | No |
| Waiting Period | N/A (Permit Required) | None | None | None |
Minnesota's Two-Track System Is Above — The Form Itself Is One Track
The Permit to Purchase, SAMSAW reporting, and Minnesota's 2023 reforms above are specific to this state. Filling out and signing the actual Bill of Sale — the fields, the description, the signatures — works the same basic way everywhere.
See our nationwide Step-by-Step Firearm Bill of Sale Guide for that walkthrough.
📄 North Star State Form Blueprint Preview:
📋 Minnesota Legal Essentials for Private Sellers
1. The 2023 Reform Split Firearms Into Two Different Tracks
Since August 1, 2023, private sales of handguns and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons (SAMSAWs) require the buyer to hold a Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry, and the seller must report the transaction to local law enforcement. Standard long guns fall entirely outside this system — no permit, no reporting, no background check requirement.
⚠️ Don't assume the same rules apply to every firearm you might sell — a bolt-action deer rifle and a semi-automatic pistol follow completely different legal tracks in Minnesota.
2. A Permit Doesn't Erase Your Own Responsibility
Even when a buyer presents a valid Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry, Minnesota law separately makes it a gross misdemeanor to intentionally transfer a pistol or SAMSAW to someone you know, or have reason to know, is prohibited from possessing one. Completing the permit and reporting steps doesn't provide legal cover if you had actual knowledge the buyer was ineligible.
⚠️ Don't treat a buyer's valid permit as the end of your due diligence — if something about the transaction gives you reason to believe the buyer is prohibited despite the permit, proceeding anyway carries its own separate criminal exposure.
3. Skipping the Permit Doesn't Mean Skipping the Process
If a buyer doesn't hold a Permit to Purchase or Carry, Minnesota law provides an alternative: the seller reports the potential transfer to the local police chief or sheriff, and if no disqualification notice arrives within 30 business days, the sale may proceed. This timeframe has lengthened significantly since the 2023 reforms, making a buyer with an existing permit the far more practical option for most sellers.
⚠️ Don't assume this alternative reporting route is a quick fix if a buyer lacks a permit — the current 30-business-day window makes a pre-existing permit a much faster path for most transactions.
4. The SAMSAW Category Regulates Transfer, Not Ownership
Minnesota's semi-automatic military-style assault weapon (SAMSAW) designation controls how these firearms are bought and sold — requiring the permit and reporting process — but doesn't restrict ownership, magazine capacity, or possession itself. As of 2026, there's no state ban on these firearms or their standard magazines.
⚠️ Don't confuse the SAMSAW transfer requirements with an ownership restriction — a firearm in this category is fully legal to own, it just follows a different sale process than a standard rifle or shotgun.
5. Watch for Pending Magazine Legislation
A bill introduced in February 2026 (H.F. 3402) would ban large-capacity magazines in Minnesota and require existing owners to surrender, modify, or remove them from the state by a set deadline. This hasn't become law as of this writing, but if you're planning a sale involving a large-capacity magazine, it's worth checking the bill's current status before proceeding.
⚠️ Don't assume Minnesota's current lack of a magazine limit will necessarily stay that way — pending legislation could change this, so a quick status check is worthwhile if your sale involves a higher-capacity magazine.
This information reflects publicly available Minnesota statutes and enforcement practices. Minnesota's firearm laws changed significantly in 2023-2024 and further changes may be pending — always verify the latest rules and consult a qualified attorney.
Minnesota Firearm Transfer FAQ
Is a background check required for private sales in Minnesota?
It depends on the firearm type. Since August 1, 2023, private sales of handguns (pistols) and semi-automatic military-style assault weapons (SAMSAWs) require the buyer to hold either a valid Permit to Purchase or a Permit to Carry. Standard long guns — bolt-action rifles, pump shotguns, and most semi-automatic hunting rifles — are still exempt. Source: Minn. Stat. § 624.712
What is the Permit to Purchase and how long does it take?
The Permit to Purchase (PTP) is free and valid for one year. As of 2023, law enforcement has up to 30 days to issue or deny the permit. A valid Permit to Carry also functions as a Permit to Purchase, allowing carry permit holders to skip this extra step.
What is the seller's obligation to report the transfer?
This is a unique requirement: for every handgun and SAMSAW transfer, the seller must report the transaction to the chief of police in the city where the buyer resides. If the city has no police department, the report goes to the county sheriff. Failure to report is a criminal offense. Source: Minn. Stat. § 624.7132
What is Minnesota's gross misdemeanor rule for sellers?
Under Minn. Stat. § 624.7141, it's a gross misdemeanor to intentionally transfer a pistol or SAMSAW to someone you know, or have reason to know, is legally prohibited from possessing one. This applies on top of the permit and reporting requirements — even a properly reported transfer doesn't protect you if you knowingly sold to an ineligible person. A Bill of Sale with a signed buyer declaration is your primary defense to show you acted in good faith. Source: Minn. Stat. § 624.7141
What is the alternative reporting option if a buyer lacks a permit?
If a buyer doesn't already hold a Permit to Purchase or Permit to Carry, the seller can instead file a report of transfer directly with the local police chief or sheriff. Under current Minnesota law, if no written notice of disqualification is received within 30 business days of that report, the transfer may proceed. Most sellers prefer the certainty of a buyer who already holds a valid permit, since this route takes considerably longer than it once did. Source: Minn. Stat. § 624.7132
What is the minimum age for private gun sales in Minnesota?
The minimum age to obtain a Permit to Purchase for a handgun is 21. For a semi-automatic military-style assault weapon (SAMSAW), the permit age is 18. Standard long guns outside the SAMSAW category fall outside this permit system entirely, with an 18-year floor under general federal guidance. Always verify the buyer's Minnesota ID to confirm residency and age. Source: Minn. Stat. § 624.7131
Does Minnesota have a Red Flag law?
Yes. The Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) law took effect January 1, 2024. It allows family or law enforcement to petition for the temporary removal of firearms from high-risk individuals. Ensure your Bill of Sale includes a certification that the buyer is not subject to an ERPO.
Does Minnesota have magazine limits or an assault weapons ban?
Not currently. As of 2026, Minnesota has no magazine capacity limit and no ban on assault weapons — the SAMSAW category only regulates how these firearms are transferred, not whether they can be owned. A bill introduced in February 2026 (H.F. 3402) would ban large-capacity magazines and require existing owners to surrender, modify, or remove them from the state by a set deadline, so this is worth monitoring if you're considering a future sale involving one.