MN SF557

Allows police chiefs or sheriffs to require a mental health screening letter from a licensed physician or certified mental health professional when permit applicants have past police contacts indicating dangerous behavior, chemical dependency, serious mental illness, or mental incompetence.

Specifies that required mental health screening letters must affirm the applicant is not seriously mentally ill or chemically dependent and does not pose a danger to self or others, but letters are not determinative of permit approval or denial.

Suspends the waiting period for permit issuance while applicants obtain required mental health screening letters, beginning when the requirement is determined until letters are provided.

Restricts nonresident firearm permit applications by eliminating their eligibility to apply, limiting applications to Minnesota residents only.

Modifies the evidence standard for denying carry permits on danger-to-self-or-public grounds from "substantial likelihood" to "preponderance of the evidence" and removes "substantial" language from related provisions, effective August 1, 2013.