Minnesota Vehicle Carry Rules Under Statute 624.714

Under Minn. Stat. 624.714, transporting a pistol in a motor vehicle generally requires a permit to carry, even if the firearm is unloaded or cased. Limited exceptions exist for transport between a person's dwelling and a place of business, hunting, repair, or a target range when the pistol is unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, or securely tied package. Long guns transported in a vehicle must be unloaded under Minn. Stat. 97B.045. Local governments cannot impose stricter vehicle carry rules because Minn. Stat. 471.633 preempts the field of firearm regulation. Permit holders may carry loaded pistols in the passenger compartment statewide.

Carrying a pistol in a vehicle without a permit, outside the narrow statutory exceptions, is a gross misdemeanor on first offense and a felony on subsequent offenses under Minn. Stat. 624.714.