This bill seeks to enhance public safety in Minnesota by prohibiting the possession, transfer, and ownership of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. It introduces new definitions and criteria for these weapons while removing previous language that allowed exceptions based on their suitability for sporting purposes. The legislation establishes a certification process for current owners, requiring them to register their ownership with law enforcement and comply with strict storage and reporting regulations. Additionally, it outlines criminal penalties for violations, categorizing offenses related to unlawful possession or transfer as felonies or gross misdemeanors, with exceptions for law enforcement and military personnel.

Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes concerning firearm transfers, particularly focusing on pistols and the documentation required for such transfers. It deletes references to "semiautomatic military-style assault weapons" from several provisions, indicating a shift in the legal framework. The bill emphasizes the importance of background checks and establishes a process for applying for a transferee permit, ensuring that individuals prohibited from firearm possession under state or federal law cannot complete transfers. New provisions require both transferor and transferee to retain a copy of the transfer record for ten years, and a transitional period is set for compliance with the new regulations regarding semiautomatic military-style assault weapons transferred before January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 624.712, 609.66, 624.713, 624.7131, 624.7132, 624.7134, 624.7141, 624.7181