Caledonia Argus

Sheriff expects increase in gun permit applications

Posted: 5/20/03

by Jane Palen and Andrew Miller of The Argus staff

Houston County Sheriff Mike Lee predicts that there will be a lot more people carrying guns in the future following the passage of what is known as the ìConceal and Carryî law.

Under the new law, any Minnesota resident who passes a background check and completes a firearm safety course can obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. In the past, a person who applied for a permit needed to demonstrate a need to carry a concealed weapon, either for personal safety or as a job requirement. Both the sheriff and city police chief could process the permit applications, and had some discretion in deciding who would receive a permit. Now, the sheriff is the only person in the county authorized to grant a permit, and has no discretion. Applicants no longer have to offer a reason for wanting to carry a concealed weapon.

ìDo I think itís a good law? No, I donít,î said Lee. Today, he and others in the law enforcement community will be watching a video to help them understand the new law. He said heís reviewed the law several times, and still finds it confusing. But the basics are fairly clear: a person who passes a background check and completes a firearm safety course can get a permit to conceal and carry.

Lee said he is disturbed because if someone that meets the criteria applies for a permit, ìYou have to give it to them and they can carry it anywhere they want.î He noted that the law still prohibits guns on school grounds. And if a person wants to carry a gun into a courthouse where there is a courtroom, that person must first notify the sheriff.

ìThere was a big push to pass this law two years ago,î Lee recalled. He said the Sheriffís Association and other law enforcement groups lobbied this year for input on the law ìso it would be somewhat sane, and it isnít.î

ìThe worst part is that they rushed it through,î said Lee. The new law takes effect May 28.

There probably wonít be a big wave of permits right away in Houston County when the new law takes effect because at the present time there are no state-certified schools close by. The necessary course, he said, costs about $100.

Lee said he currently issues about 20 permits a year, but isnít sure how many the local police chiefs issue in a yearís time.

There are other changes that were put in place under the new law. Law enforcement officials now have round the clock access to a database which tells them whether a person has a permit.

Another change is that any permit holder who is found to have an blood alcohol level of .05 or more (currently half the legal limit for intoxication) while carrying a weapon faces suspension of the permit and fines.

Under the new law, guns will be allowed in public buildings; in fact, under the new law, local governments cannot ban concealed weapons from public buildings. But some municipalities, such as St. Cloud, have passed resolutions banning handguns anyway. Private businesses and churches, have the right to restrict firearms.

Penalties have been increased against those who carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Formerly a misdemeanor, it is now a gross misdemeanor.

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