Firearm Permits

Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached ‘Stabilizing Braces’

Information related to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' ruling 2021R-08F, which clarifies when a rifle is designed, made, and intended to be fired from the shoulder can be found on their website.

How do I get a Permit to Purchase?

• The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is only capable of issuing Permits to Purchase to residents of the following cities: Andover, Bethel, Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Nowthen, Linwood, and Oak Grove.  If you live in any other city, you will need to apply with your local police department.  
• If applying with the Anoka County Sheriff’s office, you may do so in person, at the Sheriff’s office or via mail.
• Applicants must present a current MN driver’s license, state-issued ID or Passport (or a legible photocopy).
• Applicants must be a resident of the state of MN (Your Driver’s license must be from MN, and MN must be considered your permanent residence).
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old to purchase handguns, or 18 years old to purchase semi-automatic rifles.
• If you chose to apply via mail, you must send a completed application and a copy of a current MN driver’s license, State issued ID or Passport to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, Attn: Gun Permits, 13301 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304.  Incomplete applications will be denied.
• Permit to Purchase applications can be found here and are available at the Sheriff’s office. 
• There is no charge for obtaining a Permit to Purchase.
• Application approval may take up to 7 days and is dependent on a detailed background check. If your application is approved your card will be mailed directly to your home address. If you are denied, you will receive a letter stating why.
• A MN Permit to Purchase is valid for 1 year. The process for renewing is the same as the initial application.
• Please call the gun permits department at 763-324-5022 if you have questions.

 How do I get a Permit to Carry?

• You must apply in person at the Anoka County Sheriff’s office located at: 13301 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304.
• You must present a current MN driver’s license, state issued ID or Passport (or a legible photo copy).
• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must present a current certificate of completion of a MN Permit to Carry class taught by a BCA certified instructor (these certificates are valid for one year from the date it was issued).  BCA Certified Instructors can be found here.
• A Permit to Carry in Anoka County costs $75, payable by cash, check or credit card (MasterCard, Visa or Discover); please have the payment with you when you come to apply.
• Applications can be found here and are available at the Sheriff’s office.
• Applications must be filled out completely, incomplete or inaccurate applications may result in getting denied.
• Application approval may take up to 30 days and is dependent on a detailed background check. If your application is approved your card will be mailed directly to your home address. If you are denied, you will receive a letter stating why.
• A MN Permit to Carry is valid for 5 years.

How do I renew my MN Permit to Carry?

• You must apply in person at the Anoka County Sheriff’s office located at: 13301 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304.
• You must present a current MN driver’s license, state issued ID or Passport (or a legible photo copy).
• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must take another permit to carry class to renew and present a current certificate of completion of a MN Permit to Carry class taught by a BCA certified instructor (these certificates are valid for one year from the date it was issued).
• Applications can be found here and are available at the Sheriff’s office.
• Applications must be filled out completely, incomplete or inaccurate applications may result in getting denied.
• Application approval may take up to 30 days and is dependent on a detailed background check. If your application is approved your card will be mailed directly to your home address. If you are denied, you will receive a letter stating why.
• No permits may be renewed more than 90 days prior to their expiration.
• There is a discount available for people who can renew early- $50 if you renew up to 90 days before the expiration date, $65 for renewing 1 to 30 days after the expiration date and 30 days after the card expiration date it is considered a new permit and the fee is $75; payable by cash, check or credit card; please have the payment with you when you come to apply.

What do I need to do if I have a Permit to Carry and my address or name has changed?

• You are required to notify the Sheriff’s Office within 30 days of a name or address change.
• You must notify the issuing county for each data change, until your card expires.
• To update your information, you may do so in person at the Anoka County Sheriff's Office or via mail.
• You must present a current MN driver’s license, state issued ID or passport (or a legible photo copy).
• You will need to complete the first page of the Permit to Carry application. Applications can be found here (first page only) and are available at the Sheriff’s office.
• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You are not required to get a new card if your data changes. However, if you would like one, new cards are available for $10. We recommend that you get a new card because most gun dealers will not sell to you if your permit to carry card and driver’s license addresses don’t match.
• If you choose to notify name or address changes via mail, you must send a completed application found here (first page only) and a copy of a current MN driver's license, State issued ID, or Passport to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, Attn: Gun Permits, 13301 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304.  You are not required to get a new card for data changes, however if you would like one, you must also include a $10 check made out to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.

Due to COVID-19 mandates regarding wearing face coverings in public, am I still able to carry a firearm while wearing a mask?

Yes.  You are not prohibited from carrying a firearm while wearing a mask in response to the Governor's mandate, as long as you have a valid MN carry permit.  

Quick Facts

• You are able to come into the Sheriff’s office and apply Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays).
• The Gun Permit department at the Anoka County Sheriff’s office can be reached at 763-324-5022.
• We are located in on the second floor of the Anoka County Sheriff’s office.
• For more detailed information about gun permits and answers to frequently asked questions, you can also visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s website here.
• For information about transferring ownership of firearms and federal firearms laws please visit the ATF’s website here.
• For information about your MN Permit to Carry and reciprocity please visit USA Carry here.