Cost of permits to carry firearms in Cook County increases by more than 70 percent in some cases

A permit required to legally carry a firearm in Cook County will increase in cost by more than 71 percent for local residents who are attempting to renew their permit to carry a gun next year and moving forward.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners agreed on unanimous vote to increase the fees during a meeting Tuesday, July 26 at the courthouse in Grand Marais. The reason for the increased costs to apply for a new or to renew a permit to carry a firearm is due to administrative costs at the county level, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen told the board during the recent meeting.

“We are not trying to make money by increasing fees,” Eliasen said, “We are just trying to cover our costs.”

Currently, it costs any Minnesota resident $50 in Cook County to apply for a permit to carry a firearm. The permit is issued locally, but is valid anywhere in the United States. Under the changes adopted by the county board Tuesday, any new permits applied for in Cook County will now cost $80.

Each permit applied for costs approximately $76 for the local sheriff’s department, Eliasen said.

To renew a permit to carry a firearm in Cook County, it will now cost Minnesota residents $60. It was previously $35 until the board changes adopted July 26. This represents a change of more than 71 percent.

For out of state residents seeking a permit to carry a firearm, the cost is now $100 for a new permit, up from $75.

A permit to carry a firearm in Minnesota is valid for five years from the date it was issued. So far in 2022, county officials have processed 80 permits to carry a firearm. The sheriff’s department processed 168 permits in 2020 and 122 permits last year, Eliasen said.

The increases in the fees will place Cook County closer to fees charged by local governments in Minnesota, including nearby Lake County and St. Louis County. A new permit in Lake County for Minnesota residents is $100. It is $70 in St. Louis County.

Joe Friedrichs July 29, 2022