Bullet Points

Confused about the new conceal-and-carry law? Here’s all you need to know, in one convenient location.

How do I get the permit?

• Take a “gun safety” course from a recognized gun safety instructor. The law specifically recognizes the National Rifle Association as a provider of such instruction (in case you weren’t clear on who sponsored this legislation).

• Apply to your county sheriff, who must issue you the permit unless you are prohibited from possessing a firearm by being a convicted felon, being under 18, being mentally ill, or several other special situations.

• The sheriff may also deny the permit if he believes that the applicant is dangerous, but he must prove his suspicions have “substantial” grounds. Be assured that if you happen to be a law-abiding member of Al Qaeda, who is here on a resident student visa to attend flight school, or if it’s been at least three years since you last were caught beating up your spouse, you’re good to go.

Where can I carry my gun?

• Unless specifically asked not to by property owners, you can carry one pretty much any darn place you please, except the Capitol building and schools (preschool-12). Most publicly owned spaces, like city halls and parks, are specifically prohibited by law from banning gun possession on the premises. In other words, that pesky city clerk who wants to deny your permit to build a backyard gazebo better keep in mind what kind of permit you might already have.

• The University of Minnesota can prohibit its students and staff from packing heat, but not any visitors. Referees at Williams Arena are advised to remember that.

What if someone asks me not to carry my gun on their premises?

• The maximum penalty for carrying in a prohibited space is $25. Your gun cannot be confiscated. So, for less than the price of one box of good ammo, you can pack at the grade-school Christmas concert.

• Before you agree to stow your gun in the car, be sure their request is “reasonable.” This means that they have posted a sign “prominently” at every entrance to the building that says “the proprietor BANS GUNS IN THESE PREMISES.” (The alternative wording, “I’M COMPLETELY DEFENSELESS BECAUSE I AM NOT CARRYING A GUN” was rejected after a short debate.)

• Be sure the sign is posted within four feet of the door, the bottom of the sign is from four to six feet off the ground, the lettering is at least 1 1/2 inches high. It is in the Arial typeface, and printed on a bright contrasting background at least 187 square inches in area. (You might also want to carry a concealed tape measure.) And, just so you don’t give up your heater without legal warning, here’s a sample of the Arial typeface for comparison: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

• Any building operator must also “personally” ask you to not carry a weapon on the premises. So, remember, when you are at the turnstile about to enter the Vikings game, if you can’t see the signs, or if the ticket taker doesn’t say, “Welcome to the game. You don’t have a Glock under those Helga horns, do you?,” you don’t have to worry about that $25 fine. You can spend that money on beer.

• If you rent an apartment, your landlord cannot prohibit you from carrying a weapon at home. If your landlord is concerned about potential gunplay in his property, reassure him with this important feature of the law: Tenants who are drunk or stoned at home are required by law to take off their guns.

Why do we now have this law?

The answer is simple and contained right in the statute: “The legislature of the state of Minnesota recognizes and declares that the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms.” For reference, here is the entire text of the Second Amendment: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Presumably, the state will be around sometime later to sign you up for the “well regulated” militia.—Oliver Tuanis


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