Temporary Closure Announced for Gun Permits Window on December 17

The office responsible for processing firearm permits has announced a temporary two-hour closure of its Gun Permits window on Wednesday, December 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During this period, in-person services for firearm-related applications, renewals, and inquiries will be unavailable.

While the notification does not identify the specific agency or jurisdiction, gun permit services in Minnesota are typically administered by county sheriff’s offices or municipal police departments. These agencies handle applications for both Permit to Purchase (required for buying handguns and semi-automatic military-style rifles) and Permit to Carry (required to carry a handgun in public). Normal operations are expected to resume immediately after 1:30 p.m.

A Routine Pause for Administrative Needs

Short, midday closures of government permitting windows are not uncommon, especially in divisions that process legally sensitive documents such as firearm permits. A two-hour pause most often reflects internal operational needs rather than a disruption in broader public safety services.

Common reasons for temporary closures in firearm-permit processing offices include:

Staff Meetings or Mandatory Training
Gun permit staff regularly undergo briefings on updated state statutes, background check requirements, internal protocols, or legal changes governing firearm eligibility. Minnesota firearm laws, including Minn. Stat. §§ 624.713–624.714, are subject to periodic updates that require agency personnel to stay current.

Administrative Processing and Backlog Management
Because firearm permits involve identity verification, documentation review, and background checks, some offices occasionally set aside time to address application backlogs or complete paperwork that cannot be processed efficiently at the public-facing counter.

System or Software Maintenance
Firearm permit processing relies on interconnected state and federal systems, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Agencies may close briefly to update software, perform security checks, or troubleshoot technical issues affecting these databases.

What Residents Should Know

Applicants planning to visit the Gun Permits window on December 17 should adjust their schedules to avoid the closure period. Outside the two-hour interruption, the office is expected to maintain its standard operating hours.

• Permit to Purchase (PTP) applications, which allow eligible individuals to acquire certain firearms, may still be accepted online in many jurisdictions and will not be affected by the in-person window closure.
• Permit to Carry (PTC) applications, which require in-person identity verification, fingerprinting, and documentation review, must be submitted outside the closure window. Minnesota law provides agencies up to 30 days to process carry permit applications.

Broader Context: How Minnesota Processes Firearm Permits

Minnesota’s firearm permitting framework requires local agencies to balance efficiency with rigorous screening. Applicants for both types of permits must undergo state and federal background checks, prove residency, and meet statutory eligibility requirements.

While a brief closure may slightly delay in-person submissions, it does not affect an applicant’s legal timeline once an application is officially received. Agencies typically encourage residents to plan visits ahead of time, especially during the holiday season when public service offices often experience elevated traffic or modified schedules.

MinneapoliMedia