A bill for an act
relating to public safety; modifying concealed carry of firearms; banning possession
of large capacity ammunition magazines, ghost guns, and other weapons;
prohibiting open carry of firearms; providing for reasonable regulation of firearms;
providing for rulemaking; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 97B.015,
subdivision 1; 97B.021, subdivisions 1, 1a; 609.66, subdivision 1g; 609.666;
624.712, subdivisions 6, 7, by adding subdivisions; 624.714, subdivisions 2, 2a,
3, 4, 6, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, 11a, 12, 12a, 14, 16, 17, 18, 21, by adding a subdivision;
624.7151; 624.7181, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapters 299A; 624.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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To protect the life and liberty of Minnesotans from gun violence by people who would
deny them those rights, it is necessary to implement a rational regulatory system for firearms
similar to Minnesota's long-standing system for licensing drivers and registering motor
vehicles. Motor vehicles have lawful purposes but they can be deadly, likewise for firearms.
Motor vehicle ownership and use has been responsibly regulated resulting in reductions in
motor vehicle fatalities. A similar system of rational and responsible regulation of firearms
would result in reductions in firearms-related fatalities as well.
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The United States Supreme Court has held that the Second Amendment guarantees an
individual right to bear arms in self-defense. However, the court acknowledged that
reasonable restrictions may be placed on firearms, some of which have long been effectively
banned from private ownership. This legislation is consistent with the court's holdings and
strikes a proper balance between an individual's right to bear arms and the compelling
interests of the state both in ensuring that dangerous persons do not get access to firearms
and protecting its citizens from gun violence.
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Nothing in this legislation infringes on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
The legislation is narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling state interest while placing
minimal burdens on individuals who wish to own and possess a firearm.
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Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.015, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall establish a statewide course
in the safe use of firearms and identification of wild mammals and birds. A course may be
held in a school district. The courses must be conducted by the commissioner in cooperation
with other organizations. The courses must instruct youths in commonly accepted principles
of safety in hunting and handling common hunting firearms and identification of various
species of wild mammals and birds by sight and other unique characteristics.
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(b) All firearm safety courses established by the commissioner of natural resources must
include the standards developed under section 624.714, subdivision 2b, paragraph (a). The
commissioner of natural resources shall consult with the commissioner of public safety in
the development of these courses.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to firearm safety courses held on or after January 1, 2024.
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Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
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(a) A person at least age 18 but under age 21 may possess
a firearm except for a pistol as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 2; semiautomatic
military-style assault weapon as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 7; .50 caliber or
larger firearm as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 15; or large-capacity magazine if
the person possesses a license to possess a firearm under section 624.7135.
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deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end Except as provided in deleted text begin this subdivisiondeleted text end new text begin paragraph (c)new text end , a person under the age of
deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 18new text end may not possess a firearmdeleted text begin , unless accompanied by a parent or guardiandeleted text end .
deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end A person under age deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 18new text end may possess a firearm deleted text begin withoutdeleted text end new text begin except for a pistol as
defined in section 624.712, subdivision 2; semiautomatic military-style assault weapon as
defined in section 624.712, subdivision 7; .50 caliber or larger firearm as defined in section
624.712, subdivision 15; or large-capacity magazine if the person is new text end being accompanied by
a parent or guardiannew text begin . The requirement for accompaniment by a parent or guardian is waived
if the person is at least 14 years of age, has a license to possess a firearm under section
624.7135, and written permission from the parent or guardian and isnew text end :
(1) on land owned by, or occupied as the principal residence of, the person or the person's
parent or guardiannew text begin or on land where the person has explicit permission from the owner of
the landnew text end ;new text begin or
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(2) while participating in an organized target shooting program with adult supervisiondeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin .
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(d) The requirement for possessing a license and the requirement for accompaniment
by a parent or guardian is waived
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deleted text begin (3)deleted text end while the person new text begin under age 18 new text end is participating in a firearms safety program or traveling
to and from classdeleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin .
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(4) if the person is age 14 or 15 and has a firearms safety certificate.
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This section is effective August 1, 2023.
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Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 97B.021, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
A parent or guardian may not knowingly direct,
allow, or permit a person under the age of deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 18new text end to possess a firearm in violation of this
section.
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This section is effective August 1, 2023.
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The commissioner of public safety shall establish a
computerized central reporting system and maintain a database of firearm registrations and
transfers. The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish a procedure that must be followed
by transferors and transferees when checking on the number and dates of prior firearm sales
or transfers prior to a sale or transfer. Information in the database must be readily available
on a 24-hour basis to requesting law enforcement agencies and must quickly indicate whether
the transferee has purchased a firearm within a 30-day period.
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All data pertaining to transfers under this section are classified
as private data as provided in section 13.87, subdivision 2.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.66, subdivision 1g, is amended to read:
(a) A person who commits either of the following acts is guilty of a felony and
may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of
not more than $10,000, or both:
(1) possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives within any courthouse
complex; or
(2) possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives in any state building
within the Capitol Area described in chapter 15B, other than the National Guard Armory.