Justice Department sues Minnesota over 30-day gun waiting periods and permit rules

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division brought a federal lawsuit against Minnesota, targeting the state’s 30-day waiting period and permit-to-purchase regime for handguns and regulated rifles. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, the complaint requests a permanent injunction and a declaration that the statutes infringe the Second Amendment. Under current Minnesota law, individuals without a carry permit must obtain a purchase permit from local police or sheriffs, a process that can exceed the statutory 30-day limit, especially in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The government argues that because more than 93% of residents lack a carry permit, the law imposes unnecessary delays for those seeking firearms solely for home defense. Citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, the department contends the statutes fail both prongs of the constitutional test, lacking a historical analogue. The suit follows a notice of intent to sue that gave state officials until 5 p.m. on Sept. 23 to negotiate a settlement, which apparently did not occur. This action is part of a broader federal effort targeting local gun regulations in several states.