Complying with Minnesota's
Conceal and Carry Law

UPDATE: 
A Ramsey County District judge shot down Minnesota's permit-to-carry gun law July 13, saying that the way it was enacted in 2003 violated the state Constitution and the state's tradition of clean government.

Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch said that the ruling by Judge John Finley nullifies the law that made it easier for citizens to pack heat.

But he said it doesn't invalidate the more than 25,000 permits issued since the process became less discretionary.

Hatch said he will immediately appeal Finley's decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court. For now, Hatch said, the state reverts to the old system where local sheriffs have discretion to issue permits to carry firearms. While it is commonly referred to as a conceal-and-carry law, the statute does not require the permit holder to conceal his or her weapon.

More updates on this issue will be posted as they arise. 

As of May 28, the Minnesota Personal Protection Act of 2003 will be in effect. As a result, increased numbers of people will be able to receive permits allowing them to carry firearms, which may be visible or concealed.

This new law has many implications for nonprofit organizations. On this page, MCN addresses the measures a nonprofit must take if they wish to prohibit guns from their premises.

Operators of commercial property (which includes nonprofits, regardless of whether or not they own their property or rent it) may restrict firearms on their premises. There are two parts to this restriction: restricting visitors and restricting employees.

While you can ban guns from your buildings, you can not ban them from any type of parking facility, including lots and ramps, regardless of whether or not you own your parking facility.

Restricting VISITORS from carrying guns into your premises
To restrict visitors, you must take two actions: (1) post a sign, which has specific language, is of a specific size, and is in a specific place and (2) issue a verbal notification to each visitors

The first requirement is to post a sign. The requirements of this sign include:

• Language: This sign must say: “(Your organization’s name here) bans guns in these premises.”
• Font: The lettering on the sign must be black, in the Arial font or typeface, and at least 1.5 inches high.
• Size: This sign must be at least 187 square inches in area. Thus, a sign that is 11 inches by 17 inches will be in compliance.
• Color: While the lettering must be in black, the background must be a “bright” contrasting color (such as white).
• Location: Signs must be posted at every entrance. The sign must readily visible and within four feet laterally of the entrance. The bottom of the sign must be between four to six feet above the floor.

The second requirement is to also issue a verbal warning to all visitors about your policy banning firearms. This means that your reception staff must inform each visitor about your organization’s request (referring to the posted sign, if necessary) and ask for the visitor’s compliance. The warning could be, “Guns are banned in these premises. We demand that you comply.”

Restricting EMPLOYEES from carrying guns into your premises
Employers can adopt policies to restrict employees from carrying firearms while they are at work. To do so, consider adding language to your personnel policy that is similar to: “Employees may not carry or possess firearms while acting in the course and scope of employment.” Be sure to get your board of directors to approve this change to your personnel policies and provide a copy to each of your employees after it is adopted.

Again, you cannot restrict your employees from carrying firearms in your parking facilities.

Other FAQs about complying with Conceal and Carry

Q: Can we add additional language to the sign?

A: If you feel that you must post additional language regarding your organization’s conceal and carry policies, do so on a separate sign. Do not alter the sign as specified above.

Q: Can we post the sign in other languages?

A: Yes, on an additional sign. Signs in English which meet the mandatory specifications listed above are still required at every entrance.  For translations of the sign into other languages, please see the side bar at the bottom of this page.  

Q:  Does anyone have signs available that are more accessible for non-English readers?

A:  Family & Children's Service, a nonprofit organization located in Minneapolis , has designed and printed static window stickers that say “no guns allowed here” with a picture of a gun covered by a circle with a slash through it.  While the stickers do not fulfill the requirements of the new law, they carry a clear message that is appropriate for audiences who may have limited English skills and may be a good addition to the mandatory signage.  Family & Children's Service has printed a limited supply of extra stickers which can be obtained for $5 each by downloading a form on its web site (www.fcsmn.org) or by visiting its branch office at 4123 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis .

Q: Can I ban guns from my organization’s premises?

If you are in a owner-occupied building without a parking area

A: Yes, but be sure to post signs at each entrance and issue a verbal warning to all visitors.

If you are in a owner-occupied building with a parking area

A: You can restrict firearms from the building but NOT from the parking area. To ban them from the building, be sure to post signs at each entrance to your building and issue a verbal warning to all visitors.

If you are a tenant in a single-tenant building

A: Yes, as the decision to ban guns is made by the tenant not the landlord. To ban, post signs at each entrance and issue a verbal warning to all visitors.

If you are a tenant in a multi-tenant building

A: Again, the decision to ban guns is made by the tenant not the landlord. To ban, post signs at each entrance to your suite and issue a verbal warning to all visitors. Please note that if 100% of the tenants in a building agree to the ban, the landlord can ban guns in the building as a whole. At the same time, you can’t require the landlord to ban guns from the entire building if some of the tenants don’t support the policy.

If you are a landlord of a single-tenant commercial building

A: The decision to ban guns is made by the tenant. It is not the landlord’s decision about whether or not to ban guns in a building rented by others.

If you are a landlord of a multi-tenant commercial building

A: Again, it is not the landlord’s decision about whether or not to ban guns in a building rented by others. The decision to ban guns is made by each individual tenant.

Download: Sample sign for your business in Microsoft Word format. (right click on link and choose "Save target as..." from the menu)

Web site: Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The text of the sign as translated into other languages.