Justice Department Sues Minnesota Over Gun Laws

The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, alleging that the state's gun permit and waiting period laws violate the Second Amendment. According to the lawsuit, Minnesota's regulatory scheme imposes undue burdens on law-abiding citizens who wish to acquire firearms for self-defense in their homes.

The lawsuit specifically targets Minnesota's thirty-day waiting period for individuals who do not intend to carry firearms in public. Additionally, the Justice Department challenges the extended waiting periods in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where some residents reportedly face delays of nearly 60 days before they can obtain firearms.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the urgency of self-defense, stating, "The Supreme Court held that the home is where the need for defense of self, family, and property is most acute. When a person needs to defend their home, they need to defend it now, not thirty to sixty days from now." Dhillon argued that requiring citizens who have already passed a background check to wait up to sixty days to obtain a firearm is "intolerable under the Constitution."

U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota affirmed the commitment to protecting Minnesotans' rights, stating, "We are committed to protecting Minnesotans’ right to purchase firearms and we will not tolerate procedures that are wielded in a way that impairs that right."

The lawsuit is part of the Civil Rights Division’s efforts through its Second Amendment Section, which enforces the Second Amendment and related laws. The Justice Department encourages current or prospective gun owners who believe their rights have been infringed by state or local governments to submit complaints through its official website.