HF 13 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Duty to retreat before using reasonable force in defense of self or others eliminated.

HF 13 would amend Minnesota Statutes section 609.06 to eliminate the requirement that individuals must attempt to retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense or defense of others. The bill specifically removes the "duty to retreat" provision, allowing people to use force without first trying to avoid confrontation if they reasonably believe it is necessary. This change would directly affect Minnesotans using force to defend themselves or others in situations where they perceive an immediate threat. The bill was introduced but not passed, as it was laid on the table during the 2025 legislative session.
Bill status failed 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Failed
Mar 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Last action Mar 16, 2026
Floor votes · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

6665
Failed
Total votes 131
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic64
64 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican67
66 Yea 1 Nay
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
19
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Mar 6, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (66-65)
house
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report, to adopt
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
lower
1 primary · 34 co-sponsors

Sponsors