Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Question: If a person has a permit to carry in Minnesota, can they transport a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle?

 

Answer: The permit to carry law applies only to handguns, so the answer is no with some exceptions.

MS 97B.045: A person may not transport a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:

(1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened, and without any portion of the firearm exposed

(2) unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle

(3) a handgun carried in compliance with sections 624.714 and 624.715

Subd. 3. Exceptions; hunting and shooting ranges, a person may transport an unloaded, uncased firearm, excluding a pistol, in a motor vehicle while at a shooting range, lawfully hunting on private or public land; or traveling to or from a site the person intends to hunt lawfully that day or has hunted lawfully that day, unless:

(1) within Anoka, Hennepin or Ramsey County;

(2) within the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city with a population of 2,500 or more

(3) on school grounds

If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848, or reach him at. Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

 

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.