U.S. Department of Justice sues Minnesota over firearm permit delays

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, challenging firearm purchase regulations. The lawsuit argues that the state’s permit-to-purchase system and mandatory waiting periods violate Second Amendment rights.

Specifically, the complaint targets a statutory framework that requires a mandatory delay of up to 30 days for firearm purchases. The DOJ alleges that in Minneapolis and St. Paul, actual wait times for permit approvals frequently exceed this window, sometimes stretching to nearly 60 days. The department contends that these delays create unconstitutional obstacles for residents seeking firearms for home defense.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated, “A right delayed is a right denied,” emphasizing that the delays impact the majority of the state's population, as over 93% of Minnesota residents do not hold a carry permit. The Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section brought the case, asserting that the Second Amendment protects the right to acquire firearms as well as the right to possess them.