Chiefs of police and sheriffs authorization to open certain expunged records to determine eligibility to purchase, receive, or carry a firearm

This bill allows Minnesota chiefs of police and sheriffs to access certain expunged criminal records (from 2015 onward) to check if someone is eligible to buy, receive, or carry a firearm. It specifically permits this limited access without a court order for firearm background checks, while maintaining other expungement protections. The law requires law enforcement to securely handle these records if not used for denial, and to notify applicants if an expunged record leads to a firearm denial, providing the specific factual basis. It directly affects individuals with expunged records seeking firearms and law enforcement conducting background checks.