MINNESOTA GUN RIGHTS ATTORNEY
FIREARMS LAW
Defending & Restoring Your Firearm Rights
Wilson Law Firm represents firearms-law clients in the Metro Area and Greater Minnesota.
Wilson Law Firm has represented firearms-law clients in over 30 different Minnesota Counties and all 10 Minnesota Judicial Districts.
Why Choose Wilson Law?
Wilson Law Firm’s practice focuses significantly on firearms law. Wilson Law Firm has represented over 100 clients in firearms law cases (i.e. criminal defense; firearm permits (carry and purchase); firearm rights restoration).
- Firearms Law Focused
- Proven Case Results
- Highly Experienced
- Client-Focused Advocacy
Minnesota Gun Rights Attorney
Wilson Law Firm represents firearms-law clients in the Metro Area and Greater Minnesota.
Wilson Law Firm has represented firearms-law clients in over 30 different Minnesota Counties and all 10 Minnesota Judicial Districts.
Why Choose Wilson Law ?
Wilson Law Firm’s practice focuses significantly on firearms law. Wilson Law Firm has represented over 100 clients in firearms law cases (i.e. criminal defense; firearm permits (carry and purchase); firearm rights restoration).
- Firearms Law Focused
- Proven Case Results
- Highly Experienced
- Client-Focused Advocacy
PRACTICE AREAS
Firearm Rights Restoration
Wilson Law Firm represents clients that want to restore their firearm rights for felony "crime of violence" convictions and other prohibitory offenses. Wilson Law Firm has successfully restored over 70 clients' firearm rights in the Metro Area and Greater Minnesota.
Carry Permits
Wilson Law Firm represents clients throughout Minnesota that are denied a firearms carry permit. Wilson Law Firm helps clients challenge a wrongfully denied permit and also help clients restore their firearm rights when validly denied a permit. Wilson Law Firm has successfully helped multiple clients reverse carry permit denials in the Metro Area and Greater Minnesota.
Criminal Defense
Wilson Law Firm defends clients charged with firearms offenses and also helps clients avoid losing their firearm rights when charged with prohibitory offenses (e.g. misdemeanor domestic assault.) Wilson Law Firm has successfully defended clients charged with firearms-related offenses and helped clients avoid firearms prohibitions.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
I was extremely happy with my case result and could not have asked for a better outcome. I feel Mr. Wilson represented me very well.
Mr. Wilson is very easy to work…[and]…speak with. I felt very comfortable in the court room with him by my side. Very clear professional approach…and can tell [Mr. Wilson] puts a lot of effort, time & care into his work. Was very happy not just that we won our case but I knew the best case possible was brought forward for me to the court.
Beyond happy with my outcome of full restoration of my gun rights. Obtained my permit to purchase with ease. Thomas met and accomplished all my expectations in my restoration and I would use Wilson Law Firm for future legal matters.
You were amazing to work with and I appreciate all of your hard work. I would recommend you to anyone.
Before I hired Mr. Wilson, I just about gave up that I would ever get to shoot recreationally and take my son hunting when he gets older. But thanks to Mr. Wilson, my dream became a reality. I’m most thankful and appreciative to his fine work and wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to refer him to family or friends. Thanks again."
CASE VICTORIES
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of M.S.
- Date: September 9, 2018
- Location: Rice County District Court (Third Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Second-Degree Burglary (Minn. Stat. § 609.582, subd. 2)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of T.M.
- Date: September 7, 2018
- Location: Hennepin County District Court (Fourth Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Terroristic Threats (Juvenile Adjudication; Minn. Stat. § 609.713)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of B.D.
- Date: July 20, 2018
- Location: Ramsey County District Court (Second Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Juvenile Adjudication; Minn. Stat. § 152.025.2 1)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of C.H.
- Date: April 16, 2018
- Location: Ramsey County District Court (Second Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Terroristic Threats (Minn. Stat. § 609..713.1)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of S.C.
- Date: March 8, 2018
- Location: Redwood County District Court (Fifth Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Third-Degree Burglary (Juvenile Adjudication; Minn. Stat. § 609.582.3)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of S.E.
- Date: March 8, 2018
- Location: Redwood County District Court (Fifth Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Third-Degree Burglary (Juvenile Adjudication; Minn. Stat. § 609.582.3)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of M.D.
- Date: January 26, 2018
- Location: Ramsey County District Court (Second Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (Minn. Stat. § 609.345.1B)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of J.D.
- Date: January 24, 2018
- Location: Nicollet County District Court (Fifth Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense: Third-Degree Burglary (Minn. Stat. § 609.582.3)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Firearm Rights Restored
In re...Firearm Rights Restoration of K.P.
- Date: January 18, 2018
- Location: Wright County District Court (Tenth Judicial District)
- Prohibitory Offense(s): Second-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Minn. Stat. § 152.025.21 ); Third-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Minn. Stat. § 152.023.21); Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime (Minn. Stat. § 152.025.21)
- Case Result: Firearm Rights Fully Restored (Minn. Stat. § 609.165, subd. 1d)
Carry Permit Granted
In re...Carry Permit Denial of G.B.
- Date: May 25, 2018
- Location: Ramsey County
- Case Result: Carry Permit Denial Reversed and Granted
Minnesota Firearms Law Summary
There are numerous firearms laws in Minnesota that govern the possession and use of firearms and ammunition. Many of these laws have overlapping federal firearms laws that may affect individuals differently than state laws. The following is a brief summary of the most common Minnesota and Federal Firearm Laws.
Firearm Permits
In Minnesota, permits are required to purchase handguns and “assault weapons” in addition to carrying a handgun on your person (with limited exceptions). The following is a summary of handgun carry permits and permits to purchase.
Permit to Purchase
Minnesota Law requires a permit to purchase a handgun or “military-style” assault weapon (unless the purchaser has a valid carry permit). The permit application is generally made at the police department in the city where the applicant lives.
A permit to purchase must be granted unless the applicant is statutorily prohibited under state or federal law from possessing firearms.
If the permit to purchase is denied, the applicant can either request a reconsideration of the denial from the police department or petition the applicable district court to review the denial.
Carry Permit
In Minnesota, a qualified individual can carry a handgun on their person with a valid permit.
A person seeking a handgun carry permit must fulfill certain requirements and apply to the sheriff’s department in the county where they reside.
Minnesota Law provides an applicant that is denied a carry permit a two-step process to appeal the denial.
First, the applicant can submit a reconsideration request to the Sheriff’s Department within 20 days after the denial date. The Sheriff’s Department can then choose to grant or deny the permit based on the reconsideration request.
If the Sheriff’s Department denies the reconsideration request, the applicant can petition the applicable district court to grant the permit.
Firearm Prohibitions and Restoration
Minnesota Law has several different firearms prohibitions. The most common include prohibitions for individuals with certain types of felony convictions and individuals that have been civilly committed for mental illness. The following is a summary of the most common types of firearms prohibitions and how firearm rights can be restored.
Felony Convictions
Minnesota Law has three basic types of felony firearms prohibitions.
Minnesota Felony Conviction
Minnesota Law generally prohibits individuals convicted of a non-“crime of violence” felony from possessing firearms from the date of conviction until the conclusion of their sentence and full restoration of civil rights. In the following situation, firearm rights are restored at the conclusion of the individual’s sentence and full restoration of civil rights (i.e. right to vote, hold office.) The following is inapplicable if the individual has a firearms prohibition attached to their civil rights restoration (or any other firearms prohibitions.)
Minnesota Felony “Crime of Violence” Conviction
Minnesota Law imposes a presumptive lifetime firearms prohibition for individuals convicted of a felony “crime of violence.” “Crime of Violence” is a statutory term and does not necessarily mean that the crime involved actual violence. Some common “crimes of violence” include Second-Degree Burglary and Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance crime(s).
The following applies to both Minnesota convictions and out-of-state felony convictions if they would be a “crime of violence” in Minnesota. For example, if you have a South Dakota felony drug possession conviction equivalent to a Fifth-Degree Controlled Substance Crime in Minnesota; you need to get get your firearms rights restored in Minnesota to legally possession firearms and ammunition in Minnesota. In the following example, you also have to ensure that any other South Dakota and related Federal firearms prohibitions are removed.
An individual convicted of a felony “crime of violence” must petition a Minnesota District Court to restore their firearm rights. A district court may grant a firearm rights restoration if the petitioner proves that the benefit they will receive from the restoration outweighs public safety concerns (i.e. “good cause.”) A court examines several factors in making its determination, including the length of time since the prohibitory offense; the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts; and the nature and severity of the prohibitory offense.
Federal Felony Conviction
Minnesota has a firearms prohibition for federal felony convictions. To remove the following prohibition, you would need to remove the federal firearms prohibition (generally via presidential pardon) and then seperately restore your firearms rights under Minnesota Law if the federal felony conviction is equivalent to a “crime of violence.”
Civil Commitment
Minnesota Law imposes a firearms prohibition for individuals that were civilly committed based on a judicial determination that they are “mentally ill”; “developmentally disabled”; “mentally ill and dangerous”; or “chemically dependent.”
A person who has a firearms prohibition based on a civil commitment must petition a Minnesota District Court to restore their firearm rights. A court may grant the restoration if it determines that the individual is “not likely to act in a manner that is dangerous to public safety” and the restoration would “not be contrary to the public interest.”
Misdemeanor "Crime of Domestic Violence"
Minnesota and Federal Law imposes a presumptive lifetime firearms prohibition for individuals that were convicted of a misdemeanor “crime of domestic violence.”
A person who has a firearms prohibition based on a misdemeanor “crime of domestic violence” conviction must completed remove the effects of the conviction to restore their firearm rights.
The following generally requires a pardon or its equivalent (e.g. set aside.) In Minnesota, a pardon extraordinary can be used to remove a firearms prohibition based on a Minnesota misdemeanor “crime of domestic violence” conviction.
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