Minnesota Permit to Carry Applications Rose in 2025

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released its annual Permit to Carry Report for 2025.

Data shows there were 75,782 permit applications statewide last year, a major increase over 2024 with 67,216 turned in and 57,248 permits granted.

Of the applications from 2025, 65,961 were issued as standard five-year permits, and as of December 31st, 9,057 were still pending. There were two emergency permits issued with both expiring at the end of the year. A sheriff can grant an emergency permit to carry which is a temporary, 30 day authorization for someone who faces an immediate, documented risk to their safety, or the safety of their household.

Issuers denied 597 applications, 100 were voided, 29 were suspended, 25 were in appeal status, seven were cancelled and two were revoked. According to state law, a permit can be voided, suspended or revoked if the holder becomes ineligible, such as being charged with a crime that prohibits possession, violating specific carry laws, or being listed in a criminal gang database. The sheriff who issued the permit can suspend or revoke it, and it can also be invalidated if a person’s rights to possess a firearm are taken away, requiring a court process to restore them.

Locally, Benton County had 733 total applications with 634 issued, 86 pending, 12 denied, and one suspended. Sherburne County recorded 2,048 total applications with 1,746 issued, 44 pending and one denied. Stearns County reported 2,117 applications, 1,875 issued, 207 pending, 32 denied, two revoked, one emergency permit granted and one permit suspended.

Last year’s statewide numbers, while above 2024 counts, are below the five year average of 80,294 applications and 72,034 permits issued. Locally, the numbers are more on par with an average of 782 applications and 678 permits granted in Benton County, 1,967 applications and 1,766 permits granted in Sherburne County and 2,290 applications and 2,087 permits granted in Stearns County.

The Department of Public Safety says 2021 still holds the statewide record for applications (110,087) and issuances (106,488), likely driven by pandemic-era concerns and civil unrest. All three local counties reflect that. Since then, numbers have settled into a lower range.

See the report by clicking here.

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