If you have a permit to carry, you can carry into the Minnesota State Capitol and other state buildings in the area, but only if you notify the Commissioner of Public Safety of your intent to do so, in advance. Otherwise, it’s a felony.
It’s a quick and easy process, so please do it.
First, remember that the obligation to notify in advance applies to all the state buildings in the neighborhood, including the State Office Building, the Transportation Building, the Veterans’ Services Building, and even the Minnesota History Center.
Here’s a handy map of those state buildings (in red):
Click to see the full-size map
Second, it’s a good idea to keep a record of your notification. We recommend that you do one of these three things:
- send the notification with “return receipt requested” service from the post office (just ask them for the green postcard),
- mail two copies of the notification with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and ask them to sign and return one copy, or
- email DPS.Commissioners@state.mn.us and request an email confirmation of receipt. EMAIL ADDRESS CHANGED 3/21/2014
Here is a suggested format for your notification letter. You can copy and paste it, or download the letter as a PDF:
My full name: ______________________________
My date of birth: _______________
My current permit card’s expiration date: _______________
Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1000
St. Paul MN 55101
Commissioner:
Minn. Stat. 609.66, Subdivision 1g specifies that a person who “possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives in any state building within the capitol area described in section 15.50, other than the National Guard Armory” is guilty of a felony, except for several classes of persons, including “persons who carry pistols according to the terms of a permit issued under section 624.714 and who so notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety, as appropriate.”
Please consider this letter as the required notification, securing for me the exemption specified in Minn. Stat. 609.66, Subd 1g, (b)(2).
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
