The Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released the 2019 Permit to Carry Report on Tuesday, an annual report summarizing data submitted by Minnesota law enforcement agencies regarding applications made for handgun carry permits as well as data about permit holders.

Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 53,310 permits were applied for and that they issued 51,404 permits in 2019.

Sheriffs reported there were 143 permits suspended, 33 revoked and 656 denied in 2019.

Minnesota sheriffs also reported that individuals with permits committed 1,891 crimes in 2019. Nearly 58 percent were DWI’s or other traffic offenses.

As of today, the total number of valid permits in Minnesota is 301,268.

Minnesota’s Personal Protection Act was first enacted in 2003. Permits were first eligible for renewal in 2008.

Individuals wishing to obtain a Minnesota Permit to Carry must apply for the permit at their local sheriff’s office and provide proof of approved firearms training. Sheriffs then must follow a statutorily-defined process, checking FBI, BCA and DHS records as well as their own data for any disqualifying information. Individuals denied a permit have the right to appeal the denial.

Minnesota sheriffs are then required under Minnesota law to report their data on gun permit applications, issuances and denials to the BCA. As directed by same statute, the BCA compiles the public information provided by Minnesota sheriffs into its annual report.