Justice Department Sues Minnesota Cities Over Extended Handgun Wait Times
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, the city of Minneapolis, and the city of St. Paul concerning handgun wait times that extend significantly beyond the legal 30-day period.
Minneapolis St. Paul, MN, September 26, 2026 —
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a federal lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The suit centers on allegations that handgun wait times in these jurisdictions extend substantially beyond the legally mandated 30-day period.
The legal action, filed by the federal government, asserts that the extended waiting periods for obtaining handguns violate federal law. Details regarding the specific duration of these extended wait times, beyond the 30-day statutory limit, were not explicitly provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact legal basis for the extended delays by the state and the two cities was not detailed. The lawsuit seeks to address what the Department of Justice characterizes as significant delays that impede individuals’ rights.
This litigation highlights a growing tension between federal regulations and local or state-level implementation of firearm background check and permitting processes. While federal law sets certain parameters for firearm transactions, state and local authorities often manage the day-to-day operations of these checks.
The nature of the lawsuit indicates a challenge to the administrative practices that result in handgun purchasers waiting for periods exceeding the 30 days prescribed by law. The Department of Justice’s intervention suggests a determination to enforce federal standards concerning firearm acquisition timelines.
Further proceedings are expected to clarify the specific violations cited and the remedies sought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The names of the specific officials or agencies within the state or cities primarily responsible for the alleged delays were not provided. The contractor’s name, if any were involved in managing the wait times, was also not specified.
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