Federal Government Sued Minnesota Over Firearm Laws

The lawsuit challenges state and local policies requiring permits for handgun and rifle purchases.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a monumental stone building facade behind a geometric mist, evoking the gravity of federal legal action. — The federal government has sued Minnesota and its largest cities over state firearm permit requirements, arguing the current system violates the Second Amendment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The federal government has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, St. Paul, and Minneapolis regarding state laws requiring permits for firearm purchases. Officials are seeking a permanent injunction to block the enforcement of these regulations.

Why it matters

The federal government argues that these state firearm requirements violate the Second Amendment. This legal challenge targets the state's mandatory permit system and its impact on residents attempting to acquire firearms.

State law mandates a waiting period of up to 30 days for handgun and rifle purchases, though some applicants in St. Paul and Minneapolis report waiting nearly 60 days for permit approval. The federal government is currently seeking a permanent injunction to halt enforcement of these permit statutes.

The players

Minnesota

This U.S. state is the primary defendant in a federal lawsuit concerning its current firearm purchase and permitting statutes.

St. Paul

This city is a named defendant in the federal suit, with reports indicating that local permit wait times have exceeded state-mandated limits.

Minneapolis

This city is a named defendant in the federal suit, where residents have reported waiting nearly 60 days for required firearm permit approvals.

The details

The lawsuit contends that the state statutory scheme, which requires a transferee report to be delivered to local police chiefs or sheriffs, is unconstitutional. While the law mandates a maximum 30-day wait, the litigation highlights that current local processing times often exceed that duration.

The federal government filed the lawsuit against Minnesota on September 24, 2026.

Legal Context

This lawsuit follows a pattern of litigation where state-level regulations are challenged based on their compliance with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It represents a significant legal effort to resolve conflicts between local permit requirements and constitutional rights.

The litigation may eventually lead to changes in how local police departments and sheriffs process firearm permit applications across the state. Residents should monitor for future court rulings that could alter the current waiting periods or the requirement to obtain permits for purchases.

The takeaway

The court's decision on this injunction could set a significant precedent for how states manage the balance between local permit systems and federal gun ownership laws. Residents waiting for permit approvals may face continued uncertainty while this federal challenge proceeds through the court system.