Gun Permit Information

Permit to Purchase/Permit to Carry

Frequently Asked Questions  
Minnesota  Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Certified Firearm Instructors

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Contact Information                               Hours
Permit to Purchase                                  Permit to Carry
Fees                                                             Payment
Permit to Carry Change of Address    Minnesota Reciprocity
Fingerprinting


Contact Information

Applications for Permit to Purchase and Permit to Carry are accepted at:

Wright County Law Enforcement Center
3800 Braddock Ave NE
Buffalo, MN 55362

Phone:  (763) 682-7624
Email:   gunpermits@co.wright.mn.us


Hours

Monday through Friday 8:00am until 4:30pm (closed holidays)


Permit to Purchase

Permit to Purchase Application

  • The Wright County Sheriff’s Office process Permit to Purchases for eligible County resident, except for residents of the city of Buffalo.    Buffalo residents must apply at the Buffalo Police Department located at 215 1st Ave Buffalo, MN 55313. Their contact number is 763-682-5976.
  • If applying for a Permit to Purchase with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, you may do so in person, by mail or by email.
  • Applicants must present a current MN driver’s license, state-issued ID 
  • Applicants must be a resident of the state of MN (Your Driver’s license must be from MN, and MN must be considered your permanent residence)
  • Applicants must be at least 21 years old to purchase handguns, or 18 years old to purchase semi-automatic rifles.
  • If you chose to apply via mail or email, you must send a completed application and a copy of your current MN driver’s license, State issued ID to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Gun Permits, 3800 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55362 or by email at gunpermits@co.wright.mn.us.  Incomplete applications will be denied.
  • Permit to Purchase applications can be found here and are available at Sheriff’s office.
  • There is no charge to obtain a Permit to Purchase.
  • Application approval may take up to 30 days and is dependent on a detailed background check. If your application is approved your card will be mailed directly to your home address. If you are denied, you will receive a letter stating why.
  • A MN Permit to Purchase is valid for 1 year. The process for renewing is the same as the initial application.
  • Please call the gun permits department at (763) 682-7624 if you have questions.

 

Permit to Carry

Permit to Carry Application

Age Requirements:

Permit to Carry applications must be at least 21 years old.

Resident Requirements:

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office processes Permit to Carry applications for all Wright County residents and any non-Minnesota resident.

  • A valid Minnesota driver’s license (Wright County residents) or out-of-state driver’s license (non-Minnesota residents) with your current address
  • A valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Service
  • United States Passport

 Submission of a complete New or Renewal application  

  1. Complete the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol, signed and dated by the applicant. You may complete the application prior to your arrival. Forms are also available at the Gun Permit Counters for completion.
  2. All applications must be submitted in person.
  3. Provide evidence of training in the safe use of a pistol that meets the requirements of Minnesota Statute 624.714 from a certified instructor. This training must have been completed within 12 months prior to the date of application. For a list of approved certified firearms instructors, visit the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 
  4. Provide a current driver's license, state identification card or passport. See residence requirements listed above for details.
  5. Pay the required fee as outlined below.
  6. Successfully pass the required background check. An applicant who is otherwise ineligible for a permit due to a criminal conviction, but who has obtained a federal pardon or state restoration of firearms rights must submit a copy of the relevant order.


Fees

  • New applications $100
  • Renewal application within 90 days prior to expiration - $75
  • Renewal application within 30 days of expiration - $85

Note:  Law Enforcement, US Military, and their spouses should bring proof of service for possible discount.


Payment

Wright County Sheriff’s Office accepts Cash, Check or Credit Card.  Any credit card transaction is subject to a 2.40% service fee.  

Visa - Mastercard - Discover - American Express

 

Updating address or personal information

Address and personal data changes are processed through the county who issued your permit until the permit expires. When the permit is eligible to renew, you will renew in your current county of residence.

State law requires that Permit to Carry holders notify the issuing Sheriff's Office within 30 days of any address change.

Permit cards are not required to be reprinted with new address. However, dealers require an address matching your current ID when using it as a Permit to Purchase. Name changes, address changes from one state to another, or ID type changes require new cards to be printed.

In person

  1. Complete, sign, and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol. 
  2. Provide a driver's license with new address or driver's license with old address and copy of state issued change receipt.
  3. Provide a current Permit to Carry.
  4. If you are requesting an updated card, be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by cash, check or credit card. Make checks payable to: Wright County.

By mail

  1. Complete, sign, and date page 1 of the Minnesota Uniform Firearm Application Permit to Carry a Pistol. 
  2. Provide a photocopy of your valid driver's license with new address or a valid temporary paper license from Driver and Vehicle Services.
  3. Provide a photocopy of current Permit to Carry.
  4. If you are requesting an updated card, be printed, there is a $10 fee. Payable by check only. Make checks payable to: Wright County
  5. Mail to:
    Wright County Sheriff’s Office
    ATTN: Gun Permits
    3800 Braddock Ave NE
    Buffalo, MN 55313


Minnesota Reciprocity

Minnesota Statutes, 624.714, subd. 16 requires that states have similar standards in order to be granted permit to carry reciprocity. In determining which states currently meet that standard, the Department of Public Safety considers several components including handgun training requirements, use of criminal background checks, mutual reciprocity issues, as well as prohibitions for criminal convictions and civil commitments. Another crucial consideration is other states’ ability to provide Minnesota law enforcement personnel with confirmation of permit validity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Fingerprinting Service

The Wright County Jail offers fingerprinting services by appointment.  Call 763-684-2384 to schedule. You can also use the following link to schedule your appointment online. 

 

For additional information, visit: