Minnesota 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 lower receivers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Minnesota?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF and are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in the state of Minnesota.

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Minnesota?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Minnesota you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver you certainly can if necessary through our 80 lower engraving services.

Key Gun Laws in Minnesota

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Minnesota.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

The state of Minnesota requires individuals to be 21 years of age in order to legally purchase a handgun. For long guns, the minimum age for purchase is 18 years old and there is technically no minimum age to possess rifles or shotguns for minors as long as they are being accompanied or supervised by a parent or legal guardian. Exceptions for minors in possession of firearms also includes when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian. However, minors as young as 14-15 years old can apply and be issued a firearms safety certificate.

All firearm purchases require a background check not including private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Minnesota is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going to the FBI’s NICS directly.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Minnesota is a “shall issue” state which means local authorities; specifically, the Sheriff’s Office will process the application in the applicant’s county of residence. Open and concealed carry are both legal in Minnesota but only for those with ccw’s in the form of “PCP” or permit to carry a pistol. Non-residents have the same permissions so long as their CCW is recognized by the state of Minnesota. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and complete a state approved firearms training course. For more details on Minnesota’s concealed carry policies check out the state’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

Minnesota does restrict “assault weapons.” See this long list of definitions that Minnesota use to classify certain firearms as “assault weapons.”

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

Surprisingly, there are no magazine capacity bans in Minnesota. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines while you can! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the SureFeed magazine which we have in 20 and 30 rounder options. 

Mandatory Storage Requirements

There are no mandatory safe storage requirements for firearms in Minnesota but if your carelessness causes the harm or death of a child you will be liable and held responsible. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are 5 ways to store your firearms at home.

Self-Defense

Do be aware that Minnesota does not have a stand your ground law in place which means when in the face of danger, there is a legal responsibility to retreat if possible before responding with lethal force in your own or others’ self defense. On the flip side, Minnesota is a castle doctrine state which means there is no legal duty to retreat when at home if you feel threatened.

Ammunition Purchase

Generally speaking ammunition regulation is pretty loose in Minnesota, however there are restrictions of “unreasonably dangerous ammunition” which include certain armor piercing rounds. In order to buy ammo in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years old and the corresponding age for whatever firearms you are legally allowed to possess. So basically you must be at least 21 years old to buy handgun ammo. No licenses are necessary for the sale, purchase, or possession of ammo in Minnesota nor are sales records required for sellers.

Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!

Minnesota residents are completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. It's the perfect state to take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep and bear arms. That includes 80% Arms! Grab an 80 lower jig and some buddies to enjoy that freedom together and let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.