Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas and Chief Deputy Joe Yetzer said the requests for permits to carry a firearm were down in 2022 from 2021.
Thomas said there were 802 requests for carry permits last year. That is a 50% drop from 2021 when, he said, the county received 1200 such requests.
Chief Deputy Yetzer described the permitting process as fairly straightforward. Those wishing to purchase a firearm must first apply for a permit to purchase from the municipality in which they live, or if they do not live in a municipality, they can apply with the Sheriff’s Department. Yetzer said the county will then run a background check to ensure there are no disqualifying actions in their past that would preclude the purchase of a gun.
Every year, he said there are a few people who do not qualify to buy a gun. In those cases, Sheriff Thomas will send them a letter explaining the reason why. After that they have a twenty-day appeal period in which they can address the reason.
Thomas said the appeal process has worked in favor of the applicant in the past.
“Because some people may have had something from 25 years ago that’s currently a disqualifier and they’ve lived a great life since then. They haven’t been a drain on society and haven’t been doing anything – any criminal activity. They can petition a judge who will review their record and say, ‘Yeah, I think at this point in your life, that’d be fine.’”
Once they are cleared to purchase a firearm, they can then apply for a carry permit. Surprisingly, contrary to popular belief, there is no stipulation in Minnesota law that a carried gun must be concealed.
The individual must apply with the local Sheriff’s Department, who will then have thirty days to process the request. Applicants must be 21 years old, be a resident of the county in which they are applying and show that they have completed a firearm safety course. Once a permit is issued, the license must be renewed every five years.
Thomas estimated there are currently 5-6,000 licenses to carry in Rice County.
County will explore changes to I-35/County Road 9 interchange
Rice County, in partnership with the City of Faribault, is conducting an interchange study at I-35 and County Road 9, located just north of
Faribault. This study will analyze traffic, land use, and other data to develop interchange ideas that will promote better regional connectivity and support industrial development in the area. This study is the first step in the interchange design process, establishing a foundation for future projects.
For quite some time, Rice County has looked for ways to develop a large stretch of land on Interstate 35. This study will look at the feasibility of constructing on and off ramps from County Road 9 to make the area more attractive for development.
In fact, constructing an interchange at this location was identified as a top priority in both the Rice County 2005 Transportation Plan and the Rice County I-35 Corridor Access Planning Study in 2006. The project will identify the best ways to improve vehicle mobility and system connectivity for residents and freight haulers in the Faribault area and central Rice County to accommodate planned regional growth.
The county will host an open house to learn about the project from the project team, and gauge the public’s priorities for the area. Insights from the public will help guide the development of interchange design concepts. There will be no formal presentation, so attendees are welcome to come and go as their schedule permits. Those unable to attend will find materials and feedback opportunities posted on the project website at I35and9.com.
The open house is set for 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at Buckham West, formerly the Faribault Area Senior Center, 19 Division St. W, Faribault.
City Council meets tonight
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall. 
The agenda includes a pair of presentations to start off the meeting. The first will be an update on Healthy Community Initiative’s Youth First program, giving an overview of 2022 and what is to come in 2023. The second will be given by Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott regarding Rice County’s new Police Assisted Diversion program, which is a grant funded initiative that will help low level drug offenders avoid jail time and receive the help they need.
Fieldstone Research will present the findings of their Department of Motor Vehicle Customer Satisfaction survey, the council will consider a resolution regarding the North and Cedar housing development, and they will also vote to authorize city staff to seek proposals for the new drinking water treatment plant.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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