More than anything, I suspect the difference in numbers has to do with the difference in training requirements...Wisconsin's required training being essentially nothing, while MN has a live-fire and training curriculum requirement.  It'll be interesting to see where WI tops out.

Total number of MN permits:


Total number of WI permits since 11/1/11:  100,000 as of April, almost certainly north of 110,000 now...

Interesting, I really am curious how many WI permits will be issued by the end of the first year.

Last I heard WI was at or over 120,000. Don't forget this...  MN issues to non-residents too (I had one from '06-11), and WI issues to residents only. MN permits are issued by sheriff depts, who can charge up to $100 (which most do)... double the WI fee. MN also requires re-training before renewal... which is why I did not renew mine. Paying $100 for a 5 year permit is OK by me, but paying another $100-150 for another class is a deal breaker for me. WTF... I didn't forget what I learned just 5 years ago.

Yeah, there's a definite dip in MN's renewal at the 5-year mark.

Interesting.  I wonder how much of the difference is due to the fact that we've been so close several times; I think there may have been more awareness of this issue here than in MN when their law was past.

That said, seeing as some of the AACFI (now NACFI?) folks were lobbying for more restrictive training here, I think MN is a good example of what happens when the mercantilists put one in the win column.

According to the State Journal the Legislature just ok'd another $760,000 for the DOJ to cover CCW.  The permits are over 120,000 now.

If only MN would relax their requirements a bit, and increase reciprocity.

The MN legislature passed a CC reform bill, earlier this year. It would've established a Castle Doctrine Law, and altered MN's reciprocity regulations to honor ALL other States' permits. The MN Governor vetoed it (a Democrat.... surprise, surprise). The bill passed by good margins, but not veto override margins.... in the MN Senate it passed 40-23, and in the House 85-47. Just like us, they need 2/3rds to override. So... it appears to me that, if they can elect a Repub as governor (and get rid of their version of "Doyle") they might be able to bring that bill back and make it law. We did it.

I hope they do.  The only reason I maintain an MN permit is because it's the one state I travel to most often when leaving WI.

The other State I go to most is MI (I'm only a few miles from the U.P. ), with MN being 2nd... my youngest daughter and 2 grandkids live in Farmington MN. I had a MN permit from 06-11. Funny... I used to be able to carry legally in MN, but not in WI nor MI. Now that my MN permit has expired, and I have a WI permit,  it's just the opposite.