A number of Twin Cities area and other Minnesota businesses are offering discounts to customers with permits to carry a firearm.

The growing list of businesses is the creation of Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum. A spokesperson from the group said that they started the list on their website as a way to create awareness about lawful carry in Minnesota as part of their proactive visibility mission. 

"We have a lot of negativity and misinformation about gun owners in the media lately," said Ryan Krieg, a spokesperson from the group. "We're trying to counter that negativity with something positive." 

The list of businesses offering discounts covers an interesting mix of products and services including: appliance repair, a florist, computer products and services, automotive services, hardwood floor services, construction, real estate and specialty reptiles. Businesses on the list span across the state from Hastings to Baxter to Cloquet and cities in between.

Krieg said that businesses can get their discount listed for free on the group's website. "We're posting the discounts as a public service for permit holders and the businesses willing to offer them," Krieg said. Businesses can submit their offers through a special form available on the group's website. 

The group also has an additional page on their website listing "2A Friendly" businesses. Krieg stated that the list was started at the request of group members who wanted to favor businesses that don't have anti-gun policies or that don't ban guns carried by legal permit holders. "Gun owners tend to be particular about spending money at businesses that support their rights, and avoiding businesses that don't," Krieg said. 

As of April 1, 2013, Minnesota had 132,552 active permit holders in the state. That number grew by a record amount of over 7,200 from the previous month. And, according to the Dept. of Public Safety 2012 Permit to Carry Report, Minnesota saw nearly a 50 percent increase in permits to carry issued in 2012 over the number issued in 2011.

Minnesota law does not require concealment of firearms carried by those with a valid permit to carry recognized by the state of Minnesota.