Concealed carry permit extension proposed for certain military members

A permit to carry a handgun is valid for five years from its issuance. Help may be forthcoming for servicemembers that could have a hard time renewing by the permit’s expiration date.

Rep. Bob Dettmer

Sponsored by Rep. Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake), HF3663 would allow military personnel stationed outside Minnesota to obtain an extension of their permit.

It was approved Monday by the House Veterans Affairs Division and referred to the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee. A companion, SF2592, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Per the bill, a permit holder would be eligible for an extension if they are a member of the armed forces, including any state’s National Guard; are on active duty; stationed or deployed outside Minnesota; unlikely to return to the state by the permit expiration date due to military obligations; and are not lawfully prohibited from possessing a firearm.

An affidavit for an extension would need to be filed no earlier than 90 days before the permit expiration and no later than the expiration date.

The bill states that a sheriff shall grant the extension at no cost, and send a new card to the permit holder reflecting the extended expiration date. The holder would be expected to apply for a renewal at their first opportunity upon return to Minnesota.