Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 5006: Peace officer required to conduct testing of a person suspected of carrying a firearm while under the influence, penalty for carrying a firearm with an elevated blood alcohol concentration increased, and length of time a person is prohibited from carrying a firearm after conviction increased.

This bill requires peace officers in Minnesota to mandate breath tests for individuals suspected of carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It increases penalties for this offense, elevating repeat violations from misdemeanors to felonies and raising the punishment for carrying a firearm with an elevated blood alcohol concentration from a misdemeanor to a gross misdemeanor. Additionally, the law extends the period during which convicted individuals are banned from carrying firearms, ranging from one year to a lifetime depending on the number of prior convictions. The legislation also clarifies that firearms involved in these violations will generally not be confiscated unless the offense is a second or subsequent one.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties and expands criminalization by mandating tests and raising punishments for firearm possession with elevated BAC.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SF 4896: Firearm transfer to an unauthorized person penalty increase provision, mandatory minimum sentence for certain transfers of a firearm to an ineligible person establishment provision and affirmative defense removal provision

This bill strengthens penalties for transferring firearms to individuals who are legally prohibited from owning them, such as those with prior disqualifying convictions or permit denials. It increases the maximum prison sentence for such transfers from two to three years and establishes a mandatory minimum of three years for cases where the recipient uses the weapon within a year to commit a violent felony. The legislation also removes a legal defense that previously allowed defendants to claim they transferred a firearm under duress from a family member, making it harder for violators to avoid prosecution. These changes directly affect firearm owners, sellers, and law enforcement by tightening restrictions on gun transfers to ineligible persons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory minimum sentences and removes affirmative defenses, expanding criminalization and reducing defendant rights in firearm transfer cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 4081: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons banned, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill prohibits individuals in Minnesota from possessing specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and establishes criminal penalties for violations. It directly affects firearm owners, dealers, and manufacturers by defining banned weapons through a combination of specific model lists and functional criteria based on features like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and high-capacity magazines. The legislation amends existing state statutes to clarify which firearms are restricted, including certain rifles, pistols, shotguns, and conversion kits that resemble military weapons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by banning specific firearms and establishing penalties, restricting lawful possession rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4847: State or local governments owned or controlled buildings firearm prohibition provision and criminal penalties establishment provision

This bill would prohibit individuals from possessing firearms in buildings owned or controlled by state or local governments in Minnesota, with exceptions for licensed peace officers, military personnel on duty, and those with written permission from building supervisors. The law would classify firearm possession in these government-administered buildings as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The prohibition would take effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date, while excluding locations already covered by other firearm restrictions in the state.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by prohibiting firearm possession in government buildings and establishing felony penalties, which restricts lawful activities and increases criminal liability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 3735: Criminal penalty increase for impersonating a peace officer

SF 3735 increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota. It raises the base offense from a misdemeanor to a felony (up to 2 years in prison or $4,000 fine), with higher penalties for specific acts like entering restricted buildings, directing others, or operating a vehicle marked to look like police. The bill also adds enhanced penalties for possessing a firearm while impersonating an officer (up to 10 years) or committing another crime while impersonating (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It requires anyone impersonating an officer to identify their agency, name, and ID number upon request. This bill directly affects individuals falsely posing as law enforcement officers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for impersonating officers, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 25, 2026

HF 3367: 2024 changes to the crime of transferring a firearm to an ineligible person reenacted with certain amendments, and affirmative defense repealed.

This bill reenacts Minnesota's 2024 law making it a crime to transfer firearms to ineligible people (such as those with certain criminal records or protective orders) and removes a legal defense that previously allowed family or household members to avoid charges if they transferred under threat. It specifically repeals Minnesota Statutes §624.7141, subdivision 4, which had permitted a defense based on coercion by family members. The law applies to all firearm transfers to prohibited individuals, eliminating the exception for family/household member transfers. The changes take effect after enactment but apply retroactively to August 1, 2024.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes defense for family transfers under threat, tightening firearm transfer restrictions to ineligible persons, reducing defendant rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 3404: Criminal penalty for impersonating a peace officer increased, crime of impersonating a peace officer while possessing a firearm established, enhanced penalties established, persons presenting as peace officers required to fulfill duty to identify, and criminal penalties established.

This bill increases penalties for impersonating a police officer in Minnesota. It upgrades the base offense to a felony (up to 2 years in jail or $4,000 fine) and creates a new crime for impersonating while carrying a firearm (up to 10 years in jail or $20,000 fine). The bill also requires anyone pretending to be a law enforcement officer to identify themselves when asked and imposes harsher penalties if they commit other crimes while impersonating an officer (e.g., a misdemeanor becomes a gross misdemeanor). It directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers, including those using fake uniforms, vehicle markings, or equipment to mimic law enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for impersonating officers, expanding criminalization and enhancing sentencing, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter punishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

passed · Minnesota · House Apr 22, 2026

HF 3762: Chiefs of police and sheriffs authorized to open certain expunged records to determine eligibility to purchase, receive, or carry a firearm.

HF 3762 allows Minnesota chiefs of police and sheriffs to access certain expunged criminal records (those sealed after January 1, 2015) specifically to determine if a person is eligible to purchase, receive, or carry a firearm. This exception applies only during firearm background checks under Minnesota Statutes § 609A.037, not for general law enforcement purposes. The bill amends existing expungement law to permit this limited access while requiring law enforcement to handle these records carefully and restrict their use solely to firearm eligibility determinations. It directly affects individuals with expunged records who apply for firearms and law enforcement agencies conducting background checks.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAllows access to expunged records for firearm checks, reducing expungement's effectiveness for gun eligibility and restricting rights related to criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2026

HF 3380: Aggravated durational departure required for certain violent offenders who use a firearm, certain sentences required to be imposed consecutively to other sentences, and certain offenders required to serve an entire announced sentence in prison.

HF 3380 requires longer prison sentences for violent offenders who used firearms in their current crime and at least two prior violent crimes. It mandates that judges impose the maximum possible sentence for these offenders (instead of standard sentencing guidelines) and eliminates parole eligibility for them. The bill also requires that sentences for these offenders be served consecutively to any prior prison terms. This affects repeat violent offenders with firearm involvement, directly changing their sentencing outcomes under Minnesota Statutes § 609.1095.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates maximum sentences, eliminates parole, and requires consecutive terms for violent firearm offenders - increasing penalties without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 17, 2026

HF 3434: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines banned, and criminal penalties provided.

HF 3434 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s and AK-47s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in Minnesota. It defines these weapons by specific models (e.g., Colt AR-15, Beretta AR-70) or features (folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels). The bill creates criminal penalties for possessing these banned items and amends state law to clarify prohibited firearms and magazines. It directly affects individuals who own or possess these specific weapons or magazines. The law does not cover all semiautomatic firearms but targets models and features associated with military-style weapons.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by banning specific firearms and imposing penalties, directly aligning with OPPOSE indicators of increased criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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