ST. PAUL -- Fewer Minnesotans sought, and received, handgun carrying permits last year.
Sheriffs reported to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that law enforcement officers issued 41,493 permits in 2014; Minnesotans applied for 43,315.
Since licenses were first required in 2003, the new figure means 181,402 permits are held by Minnesotans.
The 2014 issued-permit number was down from the 60,471 issued in 2013, but much bigger than earlier years, which ranged from 17,240 in 2010 to 31,657 in 2012.
Hennepin County lead with the number of permits issued last year, 5,279. Four other counties followed with 2,200 to 3,000: Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey and St. Louis.
