ATF Lets Some Minnesota Gun Buyers Skip Background Checks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ Minnesota residents who have permits to carry handguns
may now be able to purchase guns from licensed dealers without the normally
required background checks.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday that it has
determined that Minnesota's requirements for getting a permit to carry satisfy
the background check requirements under federal law for purchasing a firearm.

That means carry permits with expiration dates of Aug. 1, 2019, or later, now
qualify as alternatives to usual the FBI instant background checks.

ATF Assistant Director Marvin Richardson notes that the change applies only to
Minnesota's permit to carry and not its permit to purchase.