The proposed bill aims to clarify and expand Minnesota's laws regarding the use of force in self-defense and defense of one's home. It eliminates the common law duty to retreat when defending oneself outside of the home and broadens the definition of "dwelling" to include various types of structures and vehicles. The bill establishes a presumption that an individual using deadly force has a reasonable belief of imminent threat if they are confronted by someone unlawfully entering their dwelling or occupied vehicle. Additionally, it extends the rights of individuals defending their homes to include protections for those defending their occupied vehicles.

Key amendments to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.065, include the redefinition of justifiable use of force, the introduction of specific definitions for terms such as "deadly force" and "forcible felony," and the establishment of a burden of proof on the state in criminal trials involving claims of justifiable use of force. The bill also provides immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals who use force in accordance with the new provisions. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.065