I dug up the laws on this and here is what I found:
From Minnesota Statutes 2004: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/624/7131.html
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624.7131 Transferee permit; penalty.
Subdivision 1. Information. Any person may apply for
a transferee permit by providing the following information in
writing to the chief of police of an organized full time police
department of the municipality in which the person resides or to
the county sheriff if there is no such local chief of police:
......................
Subd. 4. Grounds for disqualification. A
determination by the chief of police or sheriff that the
applicant is prohibited by section 624.713 from possessing a
pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon shall be
the only basis for refusal to grant a transferee permit.
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OK, now we're getting somewhere. What does section 624.713 have to say about it? Why this:
MN Statutes - 624.713
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Subdivision 1. Ineligible persons. The following
persons shall not be entitled to possess a pistol or
semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or, except for
clause (a), any other firearm:
(a) a person under the age of 18 years except that a person
under 18 may carry or possess a pistol or semiautomatic
military-style assault weapon (i) in the actual presence or
under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian,
(ii) for the purpose of military drill under the auspices of a
legally recognized military organization and under competent
supervision, (iii) for the purpose of instruction, competition,
or target practice on a firing range approved by the chief of
police or county sheriff in whose jurisdiction the range is
located and under direct supervision; or (iv) if the person has
successfully completed a course designed to teach marksmanship
and safety with a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault
weapon and approved by the commissioner of natural resources;
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So I highlighted these sections and brought the complete laws into my PD. The clerk there read them over and STILL had the guts to argue with me. Saying that because it is against federal law for me to buy a handgun, they cant issue the permit because the permit specifically states that I can "Legally purchase a pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer"
I then tried to explain to her that I could own these guns, I could even buy these guns, I could be transferred these guns from other people, but that it would be illegal for them to SELL me one regardless of what the permit said.
They said they would "look it over and get back to me." I'm about to take it up with the district court, but I hesitate because I dont know how long it will take if I go that route.
In all I am simply stunned by the amount of bullheaded willful ignorance displayed by my police department.