WHAT
- The Minnesota House debated and voted on three gun control bills during a floor session over nearly 13 hours.
- HF 2609 – Trigger Ban / Straw Purchase Penalty
- Passed 71-59.
- HF 4300 – Mandatory “Safe” Storage
- Passed 68-64.
- HF 2609 – Trigger Ban / Straw Purchase Penalty
WHEN
- May 2nd, 2024
- Started at 11:45AM and wrapped up around 12:30AM.
WHERE
- Minnesota House Floor
HOW TO WATCH
- Watch the whole floor debate via YouTube from House Information Services.
- Visit our YouTube channel for specific highlights from the debate.
- See below for specific opposition testimony from the MN Gun Owners Caucus.
HF 2609 - Trigger Ban / Straw Purchase Penalty
Chief Author
- Rep. Kaela Berg (DFL, HD 55B)
What it does
-
- This bill is intended to ban “binary triggers”, but in doing so it may also ban commonly used triggers like those on Glock handguns.
- Increases the penalties for transferring firearms to prohibited persons
- Requires a report from the BCA on gun trafficking investigations
Read the Bill Text
Current Bill Status
-
- This bill was heard in House Public Safety in early April 2024 and passed on a party-line voice vote.
- This bill received a rules waiver for being past the deadline for committee hearings from the Rules Committee on April 11th, 2024.
- This bill was to be heard on the House Floor on April 29th, 2024, but was TABLED at the last minute.
- This bill was debated on the House Floor on May 2nd, 2024, and was passed on a 71-59 vote.
- It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Where does the MN Gun Owners Caucus stand on this bill?
-
- We OPPOSE this bill.
What happened at the floor session?
- The bill passed 71-59.
Here’s how the House voted on the DE2 amendment from Rep. Paul Novotny to remove the binary trigger ban
The amendment failed 65-67. A green vote is a vote to REMOVE the binary trigger ban from the bill.
Here’s how the House voted for final passage
HF 4300 - Mandatory "Safe" Storage
Chief Author
- Rep, Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL, HD 40B)
What it Does
- This revised “safe storage” bill is different than the bill heard in 2023. This will creates a requirement to store firearms when they are outside of one’s direct physical control by securing them with a locking device or in a “locked firearm storage unit”.
- Unlike the 2023 bill, this bill does not require firearms to be stored unloaded and separate from their ammunition.
- Violations range from a gross misdemeanor to a felony – and can result in one becoming a prohibited person who is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
Read the Bill Text
What was our 2023 Testimony on “safe storage”?
- This is a different bill, however the links below will cover our opposition to the 2023 bill.
- Read our 2023 Press Release on the House Public Safety Hearings
- Read our written testimony on last year’s bill.
- Watch MN Gun Owners Caucus Chair Bryan Strawser testify against HF396 in 2023.
Current Bill Status
- This bill was to be heard on the House Floor on April 29th, 2024, but was TABLED at the last minute.
- This bill was debated on the House Floor on May 2nd, 2024, and was passed on a 71-59 vote.
- It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Where does the MN Gun Owners Caucus stand on this bill?
- We oppose this bill.
Written & Committee Testimony
- Watch MN Gun Owners Caucus SVP Rob Doar testify against HF4300 at the February 29th, 2024 MN House Public Safety Committee Hearing.
- Read our Written Testimony OPPOSING HF4300 from the February 29th, 2024 MN House Public Safety Committee Hearing
- Read our Written Testimony OPPOSING HF4300 from House Ways and Means for this committee hearing.
What happened at the floor session?
- The bill passed 68-64 after a nearly 12 hour floor debate.
- No Republicans voted for the bill.
- One DFLer (Rep. Lislegard) voted against the bill.
Here’s how the House voted for final passage
Take Action by Contacting your Senator & Representative
Sign our Petition to STOP the DFL Gun Control Push
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE:
- Whereas, the anti-gun movement, led by state groups like Protect Minnesota and Michael Bloomberg’s out-of-state-funded Everytown, is attempting to take advantage of recent tragedies to drive home their agenda of gun control
- Whereas, Governor Tim Walz is calling for a ban on firearms holding more than 10 rounds.
- Whereas, anti-gun Senators like John Marty and Jen McEwen and Representatives like Leigh Finke are calling for a ban on commonly owned firearms in Minnesota
- Whereas, House & Senate leadership state that gun control is a top legislative priority
- Whereas, all gun control measures are unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
THEREFORE, AS A LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNER AND SUPPORTER OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT, I CALL UPON ALL MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE ANY AND ALL GUN CONTROL BILLS.
Get in the Fight!
Here’s how else you can help stave off gun control in Minnesota.
- JOIN the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus as a member.
- DONATE: If you’re already a member, consider an additional donation to help support our efforts.
- BECOME A SECOND AMENDMENT DEFENDER: Step up your activism by becoming a monthly donor as a part of our Second Amendment Defender Program.
- VOLUNTEER: Volunteer with the Caucus and help us staff events and get the word out across the state