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Permit to Carry Denial Appeals Attorney in Minnesota

Fighting for Your Right to Bear Arms—Legally and Effectively

Minnesota law allows eligible residents to obtain permits to carry firearms for self-defense—but too often, permits are wrongly denied due to vague standards, old records, or misinterpretation of the law.

At Rob Doar Law, we help clients across Minnesota appeal unjust permit denials and restore access to their Second Amendment rights. Whether you were denied due to an old conviction, a mental health record, or a sheriff’s overreach, we fight back to protect your 2nd Amendment rights.

Understanding Permit Denials in Minnesota

Minnesota’s permit to carry system is “shall-issue”—meaning if you meet the statutory criteria, the sheriff must issue the permit. However, denials still occur under broad or misunderstood standards.

  • Permit to Carry Statute:

    Minn. Stat. § 624.714 governs the issuance of permits to carry pistols in public. Denials must be based on disqualifications in § 624.713 or failure to meet eligibility criteria.

  • Disqualifying Criteria:

    Includes felony convictions, certain misdemeanors, active restraining orders, substance abuse commitments, or documented danger to self/others.

  • Appeal Deadline:

    You must file an appeal within 60 days of receiving a written denial. Appeals are filed in district court in the county where the denial occurred.

  • Burden of Proof:

    Once denied, the applicant must show that they are **not prohibited** and meet all legal requirements for issuance.

Common Denial Reasons We Challenge:
  • Old juvenile adjudications that don’t disqualify under current law
  • Mental health holds or evaluations with no commitment
  • Charges that were dismissed or resolved without conviction
  • Vague claims of being “dangerous” unsupported by evidence
  • Misinterpretation of federal or state firearm disqualifications

We don’t just fill out forms—we build cases.
A successful permit appeal includes:

  • Statutory Analysis: We apply the actual text of Minn. Stat. §§ 624.713 and 624.714 to your history—showing why your record does not bar you from receiving a permit.
  • Expungement and Restoration Review: If an old conviction or commitment disqualifies you, we may petition for expungement or firearm rights restoration under § 609.165.
  • Sheriff Accountability: Some denials are rooted in local policies or politics. We challenge discretionary misuse and present evidence in court showing why you’re eligible.
  • Constitutional Advocacy: In light of recent court rulings, broad denials not grounded in historical tradition may violate the Second Amendment. We’re prepared to make those arguments when needed.

If you meet the legal requirements, the law says you get the permit—we make sure that happens.

Each Case is Unique

The specific charges and potential penalties depend on the incident's details.
Contact us for help charting a strategic path through these challenges.
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Navigating the Legal Process

Understanding the path ahead can provide peace of mind. Here’s what you can expect:

    • Initial Consultation: We review your denial letter, background, and any disqualifying claims to assess whether you meet the legal criteria for a permit.
    • Legal & Statutory Analysis: We examine whether the sheriff misapplied the law under Minn. Stat. §§ 624.713 and 624.714, and identify any grounds for challenging the denial.
    • Court Filing: We prepare and file your petition for appeal in district court within the 60-day deadline—laying out why you’re eligible and why the denial should be overturned.
    • Hearing Preparation: We gather documents, respond to the sheriff’s claims, and prepare legal arguments and supporting evidence for the hearing.
    • District Court Hearing: We represent you before a judge, present evidence, challenge the denial, and argue for your permit to be issued according to the law.
    • Final Order & Next Steps: If successful, the court orders the sheriff to issue your permit. If denied, we advise on restoration or expungement options.

Throughout this process, Rob Doar Law serves as your anchor, providing steadfast support and guidance.

Contact Rob Doar Law Today

If your permit to carry or purchase was denied, you still have rights. We’ll help you challenge wrongful denials and fight for full restoration under the law.
Set up a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common reasons include past convictions, mental health history, restraining orders, or a sheriff’s finding that you pose a danger. Some of these are valid, but others are misinterpretations of the law that can be successfully appealed.

The Sheriff must cite the specific reason for denial in writing.

You must file your appeal in district court within 60 days of receiving the written denial notice. If you miss this window, the denial stands—even if it was wrongful.

Yes. While governed by Minn. Stat. § 624.7131, permit to purchase denials can also be appealed in district court and often raise the same disqualification issues as carry permits.

It’s not required, but strongly recommended. The process involves court filings, hearings, and legal arguments about eligibility. A lawyer can help interpret complex background issues and maximize your chances of success.

Unfortunately, yes. Some sheriffs use dismissed or decades-old charges to justify denial. We challenge these denials when they’re not supported by the statute or evidence of danger.

You can reapply, but the denial may remain on file and influence future decisions. It’s often better to appeal a wrongful denial than accept it and reapply later without resolution.

A permit denial doesn’t automatically affect your underlying gun rights—but if the denial is based on a legitimate disqualification, it may also impact your ability to own or possess firearms federally. A lawyer can help clarify the scope.

Not automatically. But you may be eligible for restoration under Minn. Stat. § 609.165 or the expungement statute. A lawyer can assess your options and file the proper petitions to clear your path.

It depends on the reason for denial and your background. Many appeals succeed when the denial is based on old, irrelevant, or incorrect information. Strong legal advocacy greatly improves your odds.

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