In order to restore gun rights following a felony conviction for a crime of violence in Minnesota, Minn. Stat. § 609.165, Subd. 1d states a person must demonstrate good cause to restore rights. What is good cause? The only published, precedential case on this area of law is State v. Averbeck, 791 N.W.2d 559, 561 (Minn. App. 2010). In determining what constitutes good cause, the court in Averbeck discussed:
It is defined as: “A reason for taking an action or failing to take an action that is reasonable and justified when viewed in the context of surrounding circumstances.”
See also Black’s Law Dictionary 251 (9th ed.2009) (defining “good cause” as “a legally sufficient reason” or “the burden placed on a litigant to show why a request should be granted or an action excused.”)
Ultimately, the court decided the official definition is that, “Good cause is a reason for taking an action that, in legal terms, is legally sufficient, and, in ordinary terms, is justified in the context of surrounding circumstances.”