Does anyone know if it is a Federal law that requires the Handgun permit to purchase for AR15's or is it a state by state law. Having stupidly allowed my handgun purchase permit to expire, I went into a local gun store today to look at AR15's before BO takes over, and the saleman told me I needed to have the purchse permit to buy. I asked, what is the difference between this gun and the Mini 14 which they do not require a permit for other than looks. BTW, I'm located in MN.