JimC wrote:
...Sounds like instructors need to get together and find out what's what. ....
And, that has been done over and over and over. Some folks just do not want to believe that "carry" applies to long guns. Again, whether wise or not is a totally different issue. The logic behind it is most certainly a hunting courtesy. Your party is out in the boonies of Minnesota...rifles/shotguns in hand hunting. Your car is 5 miles north of you and you stumble into beautiful downtown Flom, MN, and need to purchase something at the CENEX station. It is not illegal to have the rifle/shotgun carried in that public place. Here is more information that has been posted numerous times...from the source:
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[Original Message]
From: Pat Watts <pat.watts@dnr.state.mn.us
To: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date:
9/22/2005 2:59:45 PM
Subject: Re: FW: carry permits and long guns
Our DNR Information Center staff forwarded your inquiry to me for
response.
Since receiving your inquiry, I personally contacted the BCA agent that
responded to your earlier email. We agree that long guns cannot be carried
uncased/loaded in motor vehicles. BCA may continue to refer those types of
questions to DNR if needed.
Regarding the question, "does the conceal/carrry law apply to long guns?",
it depends..... Yes, it does as far as public places and about the person
(MS 624.7181). No, it does not as far as a motor vehicle (MS 97B.045).
Long guns cannot be carried uncased/loaded in/on motor vehicles under a
permit to carry.
How you get there.....
(1) The primary conceal/carry permit language is located in MS 624.714.
That section consistently uses the term "pistol" only and does not include
long guns (shotguns/rifles). With a permit to carry, persons can carry
"pistols" in motor vehicles (specifically including snowmobiles and boats),
about their person, or in a public place. The definition of "pistol" for
this section of law is located in MS 624.712, subd 2, and is generally a
handgun, and NOT a long gun.
(2) MS 624.7181 covers rifles and shotguns 'in public places', and
includes a specific exemption for permits to carry issued under MS 624.714.
However, this section of law does not extend to motor vehicles, and is
generally limited to 'public places'. In addition, MS 624.7181, subd 1,
paragraph (c) does and has provided an exception for possessing
shotguns/rifles out of doors for hunting and target shooting purposes (see
the concern in item no. 1 towards the end of this series of emails).
(3) There is a provision located in MS 97B.045 that does exempt a
"handgun" carried under a permit to carry issued under MS 624.714. This
exemption from the firearms transportation laws is limited to "handguns"
and does not extend to long guns. This exception has been in place for
many, many years, and all peace officers are authorized to enforce this
provision of law (MS 97A.201, subd 2).
Please let me know if you have any further questions in this regard.
Thank you.
Pat Watts, Policy/Legal Analyst
DNR Enforcement Division
St Paul MN
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Now, of course Pat Watts is not the law, not the judge etc. But, it seems pretty clear what their position is. Proceed then with caution, but know what their position is.