HF 283 Minnesota House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Law on use of force in defense of home and person clarified, Minnesota's self-defense and defense of home laws codified and extended, common law duty to retreat eliminated in certain cases, boundaries of dwelling expanded for purposes of self-defense, presumption created, and rights extended to others defending against forced entry.

This bill clarifies and expands Minnesota's self-defense laws by removing the requirement to retreat before using force to protect oneself or one's home. It specifically eliminates the "duty to retreat" outside the home, broadens the definition of "dwelling" to include vehicles and adjacent areas like porches or decks, and creates a legal presumption that force was justified when someone enters a dwelling or occupied vehicle by stealth or force. The law applies directly to Minnesotans defending their homes, vehicles, or occupants against unlawful entry or threats, and extends protections to individuals defending others in these spaces. These changes codify existing common law principles into statute while removing restrictions on defensive force in specified scenarios.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Last action Feb 17, 2025
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Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

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