Record number of Gun Permits Issued in Minnesota in 2020

(KNSI/KDLM) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released its annual permit to carry report, and it shows a staggering increase in the number issued over 2019.

The report says sheriffs issued more gun permits in 2020 than in any other year since the state’s Personal Protection Act was signed into law in 2003. There were 101,897 permit applications turned in in 2020 and 96,554 permits issued. There were 51,404 permits issued in 2019.

All of the top five counties for five year permits are in the twin cities, with Hennepin County – where Minneapolis is located – leading the pack with 11,346 permits issued. Dakota, Anoka, Ramsey – where St. Paul is located – and Washington County rounded out the top five.

There were also 103 permits suspended, 36 revoked, 968 voided, and 1,191 that were denied.

Locally:

Becker County – 901 permit applications were submitted, 775 permits were issued, 7 were denied, and 117 are pending.
Mahnomen County – 108 permit applications were submitted, 104 were issued, 3 were denied.
Otter Tail County – 1,473 permit applications were submitted, 1,383 were issued, 9 were denied, and 77 are pending.

Another high water mark for statistics was for crimes committed by permit holders. The BCA says less than two percent were crimes where “firearms were used in furtherance of a crime.” More than half were DWI or other driving offenses. Almost a third were in the “other” category for less serious offenses such as city ordinance violations and hunting, fishing, and recreational vehicle violations.

The BCA says as of today; there are 358,897 valid permits to carry in Minnesota.

The report summarizes data submitted by Minnesota law enforcement agencies regarding applications for handgun carry permits and data about permit holders.