Minnesota generally prohibits the possession of ammunition, handguns, and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons by persons who are under age 18. However, under state law, such persons may carry or possess ammunition, or a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or handgun in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.¹

The state prohibits a federally licensed firearms dealer from transferring a handgun or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon to a person under age 18 without complying with certain background check requirements.²

Minnesota prohibits a person under age 16 from possessing a firearm without being accompanied by a parent or guardian,³ and provides that a parent or guardian may not knowingly direct, allow or permit a person under age 16 to possess a firearm, unless this person is:

• Accompanied by a parent or guardian;
• On land owned by, or occupied as the principal residence of, the person or the person’s parent or guardian;
• Participating in an organized target shooting program with adult supervision;
• Participating in a firearms safety program or traveling to and from class; or
• Age 14 or 15 and has a firearms safety certificate.⁴

Minnesota prohibits:

• Outside a municipality, furnishing a child under 14 years of age with a firearm, airgun or ammunition without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian;⁵
• Outside a municipality, for a parent or guardian to allow a child under 14 years of age to handle or use a firearm, airgun or ammunition outside the presence of the parent or guardian;⁶ or
• In a municipality, furnishing a minor under age 18 with a firearm, airgun or ammunition without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian, or the municipal police department.⁷

 Federal age restrictions impose stricter limits.

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1. Minn. Stat. § 624.713, subd. 1(1). Other exceptions exist for: 1) purposes of a military drill while under competent supervision, under the auspices of a legally recognized military organization; 2) for instruction, competition or target practice under direct supervision on a law enforcement-approved firing range; or 3) upon successful completion of a course designed to teach marksmanship and safety with a handgun or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon and approved by the state commissioner of natural resources.[↩]
2. Minn. Stat. § 624.7132, subd. 15(b)(1).[↩]
3. Minn. Stat. § 97B.021, subd. 1(a).[↩]
4. Minn. Stat. § 97B.021, subd. 1(b), subd. 1a.[↩]
5. Minn. Stat. § 609.66, subd. 1(a)(6).[↩]
6. Id.[↩]
7. Minn. Stat. § 609.66, subd. 1b.[↩]