"Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act of 2001", recognizing the inherent right of law abiding citizens to self protection through the lawful use of self defense; authorizing and providing for the issuance of permits to carry pistols by county sheriffs, specifying eligibility, experience or training, application and background investigation requirements; providing for the granting or denial of permits, requiring notice of denial and reconsideration under certain conditions; specifying certain permit requirements and the validity period, providing for renewal and for replacement of lost or destroyed permits; requiring revocation for a disqualifying offense; authorizing and providing for the issuance of emergency permits under certain conditions; providing for hearings on denial or revocation and for denial or suspension by court order under certain conditions; restricting the records maintenance authority of sheriffs; requiring the forwarding of a certain amount of application or renewal fees to the commissioner of public safety for maintenance of an automated database of persons authorized to carry pistols, authorizing contracts with vendors for implementation purposes; providing for the recognition of permits from other states; exempting sheriffs and instructors from liability for damages resulting from acts with firearms committed by permit holders, exception; requiring annual statistical reports by the department of public safety to the legislature, specifying certain report content requirements; exclusivity clause; imposing penalties for certain violations; repealing certain existing permit eligibility and penalty provisions (ra)