We are faced daily with stories that heighten our awareness of the responsibility we have for our own personal safety and that of our loved ones.
As that awareness grows, so does the number of people obtaining a permit-to-carry a firearm for personal safety. Reports from across the country show that record numbers of permits are being issued, and that the demographics of those purchasing firearms and obtaining permits is changing also.
As the number of permit holders grows exponentially and they become more visible and prevalent in society, including right here in the Twin Cities, it’s more important than ever to share facts, information and education about Minnesota’s right-to-carry law and about who permit holders are to correct misconceptions and stereotypes. Permit holders are moms and dads, sons and daughters. Permit holders are your neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives. Minnesota’s permit holders have received required training and have passed a criminal background check. Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety statistics have demonstrated that permit holders are far less likely than the general population to commit crimes, even minor crimes such as traffic violations.
Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum, with the generous help of Crucible Arms, put together this short documentary showing a cross section of Minnesota’s permit-to-carry holders. Meet some interesting people in their “natural habitat” and enjoy their uniqueness and commonality as they express their love for their neighborhood.
FACTS:
–As of Nov. 1, 2013, there were nearly 160,000 permit-to-carry holders in Minnesota.
–Over 52% of those permits are in the Twin Cities metro area.
–Since January 1, 2013, MN permits-to-carry have increased by an average of over 4,500 per month, to date, and have far surpassed the number of permits issued in all of 2012.
–The year 2012 saw a record number of MN permits issued: 31,657*.
–Total valid permits at the end of 2012: 114,793*
–MN permits issued to women increased by 81% in 2012 (over 2011)*.
–Permits issued to Minneapolis residents increased by 40% in 2012 (over qty issued in 2011).
–Permits issued to female residents of Minneapolis increased by 70% in 2012 (over qty issued to females in Mpls in 2011).
–The Minnesota Citizens’ Personal Protection Act of 2003 (MN’s right-to-carry law), MN §624.714, contains no requirement to “conceal” a firearm if a person has a valid permit-to-carry recognized by the state of Minnesota. In other words, Minnesota does not have a “conceal and carry” law. Minnesota has a “right-to-carry” law, and persons with a valid permit-to-carry may “open carry” a handgun in plain view if they so choose, or they may “conceal carry” if they so choose.
–Training to apply for a permit-to-carry in Minnesota requires completion of a firearms safety or training course providing basic training in the safe use of a pistol and conducted by a certified instructor which includes**:
—-instruction in the fundamentals of pistol use;
—-successful completion of an actual shooting qualification exercise; and
—-instruction in the fundamental legal aspects of pistol possession, carry, and use, including self-defense and the restrictions on the use of deadly force.
–Applicants for a MN permit-to-carry must do so through their local sheriff and will be required to pass a criminal background check and must not be prohibited from possessing a firearm**
–Women are one of the fastest growing demographics of gun owners in theUnited States. One in every four women say they own a firearm***
–Minneapolis police response time is nearly 8 1/2 minutes for Priority 1 calls to 911****
PRIORITY 1 – Calls classified as Priority 1 include situations where an imminent threat to personal safety, or the loss or damage to property exists. Conditions at the scene of the call are unstable.
*Source: State of MN Department of Public Safety 2012 Permit to Carry Report,
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/administrative/Documents/2012PermitToCarryReport.pdf
**Source: MN §624.714, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=624.714
***Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/women-fastest-growing-group-us-gun-owners-18663332
****Source: http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/results/ps/policeresponse
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