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The trusted voice of Minnesota's Gun Owners to Defend and Restore the Right to Keep and Bear Arms

Our 2017 – 2018 Legislative Tracker tracks all current firearms bills and other bills that may impact the 2nd Amendment in Minnesota during the current legislative biennium (90th legislature – 2017 – 2018). Any votes on these bills will be scored for our 2017 & 2018 legislative scorecards.

 

PRO-GUN RIGHTS LEGISLATION

 

HF 469: LIFETIME CARRY PERMITS, APPLICATION FEE FOR PERMITS REDUCED

  • Summary
    • This bill would make a lifetime permit to carry available and reduce the application fee for permits to carry
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Tony Cornish (Resigned)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY SUPPORT
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No Senate companion
  • Link to bill text

 

HF238 / SF292:  DEFENSE OF DWELLING AND PERSON ACT

  • Summary
    • This bill reforms Minnesota’s self-defense law, codifying nearly three decades of case law into statutory law, expands castle doctrine, and removes the duty to retreat.
    • Also known as “Stand your Ground”
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Jim Nash (HD 47A)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY SUPPORT
  • Current Status:
    • Introduced in the House (HF 238) and Senate (SF292)
    • House:
      • Hearing held 3/8/2017
      • Passed out of the Public Safety Committee to the Rules Committee.
      • Passed out of Rules Committee to the General Register.
      • As the 2017 session ended without further action, the bill moved back to the Rules Committee where it currently sits.
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF188 / SF650:  CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

  • Summary
    • This bill would make permits to carry optional in Minnesota, allowing any law-abiding citizen the ability to carry a firearm as long as they are not a prohibited person.
    • This bill was written with input from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, the National Rifle Association, and the Minnesota Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance. This is the main Constitutional Carry legislation that our organization supports.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Jim Nash (HD 47A)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY SUPPORT
  • Current Status:
    • Introduced in the House (HF 188) and Senate (SF650)
    • House:
      • Hearing held 3/8/2017
      • No action or vote in committee.
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF309 / SF649: CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

  • Summary
    • This bill would make permits to carry optional in Minnesota, allowing any law-abiding citizen the ability to carry a firearm as long as they are not a prohibited person.
    • This is an alternate Constitutional Carry bill with language that we generally believe is inferior to HF188/SF650.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Cal Bahr (R HD31B)
  • Caucus position:  SUPPORT, however, we prefer HF188/SF650 which has stronger language
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 3918 / SF 3398: TAX EXEMPTION FOR GUN SAFES

  • Summary
    • This bill makes gun safes and related locking devices to safely store firearms exempt from sales tax.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Chris Swedzinski / Senator Paul Utke
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY SUPPORT
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action, pending before House Tax Committee
    • Senate:  No action, pending before Senate Tax Committee
  • Link to bill text

ANTI-GUN LEGISLATION

 

HF 1590: MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION FOR PERMITS TO CARRY REQUIRED

  • Summary
    • This bill requires permit to carry holders to keep law enforcement informed of all of their vehicles that they own and operate – and allows law enforcement to see permit to carry information when “running” a license plate or vehicle registration.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Rena Moran (DFL HD65A)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No Action
    • No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

HF 1605 / SF 1262:  GUN VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS (RED FLAG ORDERS)

  • Summary
    • This bill permits law enforcement, medical personnel, family members, and others to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing a firearm if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL HD64B), Sen. Ron Latz (DFL SD46)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House:
      • Heard in the Minnesota House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee on March 1st, 2018.
        • Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Political Director Rob Doar and others testified against this bill.
        • Tabled by a vote of 10-6. No further action is expected this session.
        • Voting to table the bill (this is the pro-gun rights position) were Rep. Johnson (R 32A), Rep. Lohmer (R 39B), Rep. Grossell (R 02A), Rep. Howe (R 13A), Rep. Lucero (R 30B), Rep. Newberger (R 15B), Rep. O’Neill (R 29B), Rep. Uglem (R 36A), Rep. Zerwas (R 30A), and Rep. Franke (R 54A).
        • Voting against tabling the bill (this is the anti-gun position) were Rep. Hilstrom (DFL 40B), Rep. Becker-Finn (DFL 42B), Rep. Considine (DFL 19B), Rep. Dehn (DFL 59B), Rep. Pinto (DFL 64B), and Rep. Ward (DFL 53A).
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 1669 / SF1261: UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

  • Summary
    • This bill requires all firearms transfers (sales) to be completed by an FFL (gun shop) with a few limited exceptions.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL HD64B), Sen. Ron Latz (DFL SD46)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House:
      • Heard in the Minnesota House Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance Committee on March 1st, 2018.
        • Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Political Director Rob Doar and others testified against this bill.
        • Tabled by a vote of 9-7. No further action is expected this session.
        • Voting to table the bill (this is the pro-gun rights position) were Rep. Johnson (R 32A), Rep. Lohmer (R 39B), Rep. Grossell (R 02A), Rep. Howe (R 13A), Rep. Lucero (R 30B), Rep. Newberger (R 15B), Rep. O’Neill (R 29B), Rep. Uglem (R 36A), and Rep. Zerwas (R 30A).
        • Voting against tabling the bill (this is the anti-gun position) were Rep. Hilstrom (DFL 40B), Rep. Becker-Finn (DFL 42B), Rep. Considine (DFL 19B), Rep. Dehn (DFL 59B), Rep. Pinto (DFL 64B), Rep. Ward (DFL 53A), and Rep. Franke (R 54A).
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF2781 / SF 2601: SLIDE-FIRE BAN (BUMP STOCK BAN)

  • Summary
    • This bill defines a “bump stock” as a trigger activator, thus completely banning the accessory under state law.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Jack Considine (DFL HD19B) / Senator Jason Issacson (DFL SD42)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 2891 / SF 2726: PRIVACY PROTECTIONS FOR LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNERS REMOVED

  • Summary
    • This bill removes the privacy protections in existing Minnesota law for research that keep information about lawful gun ownership private.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Erin Murphy (HD 64A) / Senator Matt Klein (SD 52)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 3022: GUN BAN BILL

  • Summary
    • This bill bans “assault weapons” for future generations; requires registration of all firearms; allows local police to set registration fees, safe storage methods, and processes for regular warrantless inspection of your home to validate safe storage; requires retailers to keep a log of all ammunition sales; requires background checks on all firearms sales and transfers – including between family; makes suppressors illegal, requires a 2 day waiting period on all firearm transactions, and more.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Linda Slocum (HD 50A)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

HF 3029 / SF 3131: SLIDE-FIRE BAN (BUMP STOCK BAN)

  • Summary
    • This bill defines a “bump stock” as a trigger activator, thus completely banning the accessory under state law. This is nearly identical to other bump stock ban bills.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Rena Moran (HD 65A) / Senator Scott Dibble
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

HF 3038: SLIDE-FIRE BAN (BUMP STOCK BAN)

  • Summary
    • This bill defines a “bump stock” as a trigger activator, thus completely banning the accessory under state law. This is nearly identical to other bump stock ban bills.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (HD 42B)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

HF 3438: GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS

  • Summary
    • This bill permits law enforcement, medical personnel, family members, and others to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing a firearm if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others
    • This bill is similar to Representative Pinto’s bill listed above.
  • Chief Author:  Representative Diane Loeffler (DFL HD 60AA)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

HF 3954 / SF 3651: ASSAULT WEAPONS TRANSFER BAN & BUYBACK

  • Summary
    • This bill redefines “assault weapons” under Minnesota law to include most semi-automatic firearms, it prohibits the transfer or sale of such firearms to any other person, limits where they may be possessed, creates a voluntary buy-back program, and allocates $500,000 for the buyback program.
  • Chief Author:  Representative Ray Dehn / Senator Bobby Jo Champion
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 4116: BUMP STOCK SALE PROHIBITED

  • Summary
    • This bill bans the future sale or transfer of “bump stocks” but allows current owners to keep them in their possession.
  • Chief Author:  Representative Keith Franke
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No Senate companion at this time
  • Link to bill text

SF 2781: GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS

  • Summary
    • This bill permits law enforcement, medical personnel, family members, and others to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing a firearm if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others
    • This bill is similar to Senator Latz’s bill listed above.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Scott Dibble (DFL SD61)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No House companion at this time
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 2782: UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

  • Summary
    • This bill requires all firearms transfers (sales) to be completed by an FFL (gun shop) with a few limited exceptions.
    • This bill is similar to Senator Latz’s bill listed above.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Scott Dibble (DFL SD61)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No House companion at this time
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 2882: UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

  • Summary
    • This bill requires all firearms transfers (sales) to be completed by an FFL (gun shop) with a few limited exceptions.
    • This bill is similar to Senator Latz’s bill listed above.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL SD65)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No House companion at this time
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 2883: GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS

  • Summary
    • This bill permits law enforcement, medical personnel, family members, and others to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing a firearm if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others
    • This bill is similar to Senator Latz’s bill listed above.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL SD65)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No House companion at this time
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 2959 / HF 3516: “ASSAULT WEAPONS” REGULATIONS EXPANDED

  • Summary
    • This bill raises the age to purchase or possess a “Semi-Automatic Military-Style Assault Weapon” to 21 and completely redefines “assault weapon” under Minnesota law to include most semi-automatic shotguns, handguns, and rifles.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Ron Latz / Representative Jamie Becker-Finn
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

In addition to the anti-gun bills listed here, we believe we’ll see the following introduced, but in most cases, we have not yet seen specific bill language.

    • Handgun registry:  A bill requiring all firearm owners to register their handguns.

OTHER RELEVANT LEGISLATION

 

HF 1356: LEAD AMMUNITION BAN

  • Summary
    • This bill bans ammunition containing lead
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL HD42B)
  • Caucus position:  STRONGLY OPPOSE
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No Senate companion bill
  • Link to bill text

HF 1678 / SF 1263: TAYLOR HAYDEN GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT

  • Summary
    • This bill creates a $200,000 annual fund to award grants to nonprofit organizations with expertise in gun violence prevention
  • Chief Author:  Sen. Jeff Hayden (DFL SD62), Rep. Fue Lee (DFL HD59A)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 2207 / SF 2143: FIREARM INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION CHANGE

  • Summary
    • This bill modifies Minnesota’s Permit to Carry law by allowing any NRA Certified Instructor to teach Minnesota Permit to Carry classes.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Tony Cornish (Resigned), Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL SD06)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

HF 3286 / SF 3116: PERMITTED AND TRAINED SCHOOL STAFF ALLOWED TO CARRY FIREARMS

  • Summary
    • This bill creates a special permit to carry for school staff that has completed a special course. They may then carry in schools with or without permission or authorization of the school district.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Eric Lucero (GOP HD 30B) / Senator Andrew Mathews (GOP SD 15)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No Senate companion bill
  • Link to bill text

HF 3540 / SF 2907: SCHOOL SAFETY & STUDENT SUPPORT

  • Summary
    • This bill provides funding options for physical security improvements at schools and modifies the required crisis management processes in Minnesota schools.
  • Chief Author:  Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL HD 06A) / Senator Steve Cwodzinski (DFL SD 48)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No action
    • Senate:  No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 2779: VOLUNTARY INELIGIBILITY TO PURCHASE FIREARMS

  • Summary
    • This bill creates a centralized registry of individuals who voluntarily choose to be ineligible to purchase firearms for a self-determined period of time
  • Chief Author:  Senator Ron Latz (DFL SD46)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No House companion bill.
    • Senate:  No action.
  • Link to bill text

SF 2834: TRAUMA-INFORMED GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM

  • Summary
    • This bill establishes a pilot program and funding for a trauma-informed gun violence reduction program.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Jeff Hayden (DFL SD62)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No House companion bill.
    • Senate:  No action.
  • Link to bill text

SF 2844: RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AUTHORIZED TO CARRY FIREARMS IN SCHOOLS

  • Summary
    • This bill permits retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in schools without requiring permission from the school district.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Paul Utke (GOP SD02)
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House: No House companion at this time
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 3068 / HF 3676: PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUSES PHYSICAL SECURITY AUDITS GRANTS

  • Summary
    • This bill provides funding for public schools to obtain grants to conduct a physical security audit of their campuses.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Carrie Ruud / Representative Randy Jessup
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill.
  • Current Status:
    • House: No action
    • Senate: No action
  • Link to bill text

SF 3140: FIREARMS CRIME SENTENCING

  • Summary
    • This bill contains a number of provisions, including expanding the definition of a crime of violence, creating mandatory minimum sentences for using a firearm in a crime, simplifying the firearms rights restoration process, and improving firearms background checks.
  • Chief Author:  Senator Eric Pratt
  • Caucus position:  To date, we’ve not taken a position on this bill
  • Current Status:
    • House:  No House companion bill at this time.
    • Senate:  No action.
  • Link to bill text

In addition to the other relevant bills listed here, we believe we’ll see the following introduced, but in most cases, we have not yet seen specific bill language.

  • Self-imposed Temporary Restriction on firearms
    • Summary:  This bill would allow an individual to place themselves on a restriction that would limit their right to own or purchase firearms or ammunition. Another version would allow them to place their firearms in the custody of their country sheriff until such time they are no longer on their self-imposed restriction.
    • Chief Author:  Rep. Erin Maye Quade
    • Caucus position:  NEUTRAL