BCA: Minnesota saw significant drop in number of firearms permit apps, issuances in 2022

(ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) on Wednesday released their 2022 Permit to Carry Report.

The report contains data submitted by Minnesota law enforcement agencies regarding applications made for handgun carry permits and data about permit holders.

According to the report, Minnesota saw a significant drop in the number of firearms permit applications and issuances after historic highs over the past two years. Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 70,443 permits were applied for and that they issued 65,257 permits in 2022.

Year	Permits Issued
2022	65,257
2021	106,488
2020	96,554
2019	51,404
2018	66,053
2017	55,069

The top five counties for five-year permits issued by sheriff’s in 2022 are below:

County	Permits Issued
Hennepin	8,637
Anoka	4,696
Dakota	4,532
Ramsey	3,950
Washington	3,865

Sheriffs reported there were 177 permits suspended, 27 revoked, 1,414 voided and 866 denied in 2022

Minnesota sheriffs reported that individuals with permits committed 4,199 crimes in 2022. This is the highest number since the state’s Personal Protection Act was enacted, but the percent of permit holders who committed a crime (1%) was consistent with recent prior years.

• Just over 3% were crimes where firearms were used in furtherance of a crime.
• More than 60% were DWIs or other traffic offenses.
• 15% were from the “Other” category which includes both less serious offenses such as city ordinance violations and DNR hunting, fishing and recreational vehicle violations and less common but more serious offenses such as stalking and riot.

As of Wednesday, Mar. 1, the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 395,626.

The Permit to Carry Report is required by Minnesota law and contains data on permits to carry a firearm. Minnesota does not track permits to purchase firearms.

View the full report, HERE.