WHAT
- The House Public Safety & Children and Families Committees are holding a joint hearing on “Gun Violence and the impact on Children” where they will hear two gun control bills.
WHEN
- February 29th, 2024
- Starting at 10:30AM
WHERE
- State Capitol – Room 200
HOW TO ATTEND
- Where to Park: Public Parking Map
- This is a ticketed hearing. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You may carry a firearm (handguns only) with a MN Permit to Carry at the State Capitol Complex. We recommend carrying concealed.
HOW TO WATCH
- Watch the whole hearing via YouTube.
- See below for specific opposition testimony from the MN Gun Owners Caucus.
HF 4300 - "Safe" Storage Bill
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.
Where does the MN Gun Owners Caucus stand on this bill?
- We oppose this bill.
Written & Committee Testimony
HF 601 - Mandatory Lost and Stolen Reporting
Chief Author
- Rep, Kaohly Vang Her (DFL, HD 64A)
What it Does
- This bill creates a “duty to report” the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement as soon as “practicable” but not later than 48 hours of when you knew or “should have reasonably known” of the loss or theft.
- Violations
- First violation is a fine (petty misdemeanor)
- A second violation is a misdemeanor.
- A third or subsequent violation is a gross misdemeanor.
- Reporting a firearm lost or stolen creates an immunity from criminal prosecution for safe storage laws in Minnesota (i.e. you cannot be prosecuted for those)
Read the Bill Text
What was our 2023 Testimony on this bill?
- Read our 2023 Press Release on the House Public Safety Hearings
- Read our Written Testimony on HF601 from last year
- Read our Written Testimony on HF601 from 2024.
- No testimony was allowed on HF601 in 2023 as it had been heard in 2023.
Where does the MN Gun Owners Caucus stand on this bill?
- We oppose this bill.
Submit Written Committee Testimony
You can submit written testimony AGAINST these two bill prior to 12:00PM on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024.
- All written testimony must be submitted in a PDF document without clickable links as an attachment to an email.
- Email your testimony to ellen.mcdaniel@house.mn.gov
- Please copy contact@gunowners.mn with your written testimony
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