U.S. Department of Justice Sues Minnesota Over Firearm Purchase Waiting Period
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, challenging the state's 30-day waiting period for firearm purchases as a violation of the Second Amendment.
Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, September 25, 2026 —
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated legal action against the state of Minnesota, as well as the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The lawsuit challenges the state’s current 30-day waiting period requirement for individuals seeking to purchase firearms.
According to the Department of Justice, this waiting period is in violation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The specific details of the legal filing were not provided beyond the core allegation.
The legal action targets the mandate that requires a 30-day interval between the initiation of a firearm purchase and the actual transfer of the weapon to the buyer. Such waiting periods are enacted by various jurisdictions with the stated intent of allowing for background checks to be completed thoroughly and to potentially prevent impulsive acts of violence.
The Department of Justice’s position, as stated in the lawsuit, asserts that the extended waiting period infringes upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are included in the suit, indicating that local ordinances or enforcement related to firearm purchase waiting periods may also be under scrutiny.
The complaint does not currently specify what remedies the Department of Justice is seeking, nor does it provide a timeline for the legal proceedings. The contractor’s name was not provided, and the fine amount was not provided. The outcome of this legal challenge could have implications for firearm purchase regulations in Minnesota and potentially set legal precedents.
Story summarized from the original created by Emily Baude on kstp.com, see more information here.
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