Minnesotans can get CCW permits, but due to the recent court ruling the law went backwards to "MAY issue", not "Shall issue". That means that if you meet all the requirements, the sheriff or city police chief depending on where you live has the discretion of whether or not to issue. That part about whether you actually need the permit or not is vague enough that if a chief or sheriff is of the persuasion that citizens have the right to carry they can grant it to anyone they want, and they can deny just about anyone they want also.
Try www.mnccrn.org for information specific to MN's current court battles about that issue.

 

If you plan on using a handgun for personal protection, I'd like to suggest taking a handgun course, one that is designed to teach you where to shoot, how to shoot, make the best of the situation... that kind of stuff.