The right to carry firearms is considered an inalienable birthright of each and every American. In such a scenario, it is but natural that arguments and contentions would arise when the government retains discretion to refuse permission to any applicant seeking permission to carry firearms.

Of course, there are many Americans who are of the opinion that the government has absolutely no scope for intervention in this matter. Carrying a firearm is a part of American culture and that should be the end of the argument. However, the government has come up with numerous rules and regulations that must be fulfilled before any person can get permit for carrying firearms.

While people do not have any problem in complying with the regulations, there is a big question whether the government enjoys unfettered discretion in allocating permits. Simply said, if an individual fulfills minimum requirements laid down by the law, does the government have any extra discretion in its hand to refuse permission.

This was summed up as the contention between the ‘may issue’ and ‘shall issue’ rule. Today, Minnesota has successfully transformed itself as a ‘shall issue’ state. That is to say, if the minimum requirements laid down in the law of Minnesota are fulfilled, then the government has no option but to issue the permits. Applicants must be a major, should be having a clear track record and should not be a person who will be a danger to the society in event the firearm is issued.

While minimum rules are detailed, they are easy to fulfill and any and every respectable citizen of society will fulfill them without any difficulty. In such a scenario, those who were trying to control the sale of arms in America suffered a serious setback once Minnesota decided to transform itself into a ‘shall issue’ state. Today, the right to carry arms freely has become a part of the culture and history of the state.