Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · House May 17, 2026

HF 5160: Ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines regulated; provisions for possessing dangerous weapons in schools, negligently storing firearms, and reporting on firearms discharge by law enforcement modified; other firearm provisions modified; and money appropriated.

This bill introduces new regulations on the ownership, possession, and sale of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Minnesota. It also strengthens laws regarding dangerous weapons in schools, the negligent storage of firearms, and the reporting of firearm discharges by law enforcement. Additionally, the legislation reinstates a ban on binary triggers, criminalizes the manufacture of ghost guns, and updates procedures for extreme risk protection orders. To support these changes, the bill appropriates funds for a public awareness campaign on safety orders and administrative costs for certifying weapon ownership.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens laws on dangerous weapons in schools, regulates firearms, and updates extreme risk protection orders, enhancing public safety and criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 5196: Minnesota Trades Academy for young adult support services appropriation

This bill appropriates $250,000 from the workforce development fund to support a Minnesota Trades Academy for youth in Saint Paul. The funds will be given to the Saint Paul Police Department to help young adults gain job skills in construction and receive driver's training. A key provision requires the program to prioritize youth at risk of gang or gun violence, aiming to divert them from such activities. This is a one-time appropriation that will only be available for fiscal year 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 from the workforce development fund to fund youth job training and driver's education programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds a program diverting at-risk youth from gang/gun violence, directly supporting crime prevention and rehabilitation.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds job skills training and driver's education for youth, directly advancing workforce development and employment opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Policing Workforce Development

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in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 28, 2026

HF 5091: Process of firearm purchase by peace officers modified.

This bill modifies the process for actively licensed peace officers in Minnesota to purchase firearms. Instead of a standard permit, officers may present their official badge or government identification along with photo ID to prove employment. The law treats this identification as equivalent to the permit typically required for civilian firearm purchases. This policy change applies only to officers currently employed within the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines firearm access for peace officers, enhancing their ability to perform duties and protect public safety.85% 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 Apr 9, 2026

HF 4371: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension required to perform background checks at the request of the Office of the Legislative Auditor.

This bill requires the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct background checks when requested by the Office of the Legislative Auditor. It amends Minnesota law to officially add the Legislative Auditor to the list of agencies authorized to request criminal history information from the Bureau. The change expands access to criminal background records for oversight purposes, allowing the Auditor to verify information related to public safety and financial matters. This provision applies specifically to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and does not alter existing background check procedures for other agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight of criminal background records, strengthening accountability and transparency in public safety agencies.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 4688: Regulation changes of transfers of pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons to include ammunition

This bill amends Minnesota firearm transfer laws to explicitly include ammunition when regulating the transfer of pistols and semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. It requires applicants for transferee permits to provide detailed personal information and authorize the release of relevant mental health records to local police authorities. The legislation also establishes clearer procedures for denying permits, including written explanations for denials, opportunities for applicants to submit additional documentation, and restrictions on reapplying within six months of a denial. These changes apply to permits issued on or after August 1, 2026, and affect individuals seeking to transfer firearms and ammunition in Minnesota.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens firearm transfer regulations and mental health record checks, enhancing public safety and law enforcement oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4777: Human services background studies and variances modifications, human services licensing procedures clarification provision, and program integrity provisions

This bill modifies Minnesota's human services background study and licensing procedures to strengthen program integrity and fraud prevention. It clarifies definitions for terms like "convicted" and "credible allegation of fraud," which now includes verified complaints, data mining results, audit patterns, and court documents. The legislation allows law enforcement to delay background check notifications for up to 90 days when an investigation could be compromised, and it expands the commissioner's authority to withhold payments from providers or associated entities involved in fraud or criminal convictions. These changes apply to individuals and organizations receiving payments from state or federal human services programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens program integrity and fraud prevention in human services, clarifies definitions for convictions, and allows law enforcement to delay background checks to protect investigations, supporting criminal justice system integrity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SF 4778: Human services background studies and variances modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's human services background study requirements and updates definitions related to serious maltreatment. It expands background checks to include all adults working in children's residential facilities and foster residence settings, regardless of whether they have direct contact with residents. The legislation also clarifies what constitutes serious maltreatment by adding financial exploitation of vulnerable adults involving $1,000 or more to the definition. Additionally, it allows law enforcement to delay mandatory notifications about criminal investigations when doing so could compromise an ongoing case, with written determinations required every 90 days. These changes primarily affect licensed human services programs, their employees, volunteers, and background check administrators.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands background checks for child welfare workers and clarifies serious maltreatment definitions, enhancing protection of vulnerable populations within criminal justice oversight.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 4170: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines banned, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill prohibits the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota, affecting current owners and potential buyers of these firearms. It defines banned weapons by listing specific models and including any firearms with certain features like pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than ten rounds. The legislation establishes criminal penalties for violating these restrictions and amends existing state statutes to incorporate these new prohibitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by banning dangerous weapons and establishing criminal penalties, directly advancing criminal justice objectives through enhanced law enforcement tools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SF 4910: Unlawful possession of firearms penalties enhancement provision

This bill increases penalties for unlawful firearm possession in Minnesota, primarily affecting individuals with prior violent crime convictions and those prohibited from owning certain weapons. It raises the maximum prison sentence for people convicted of violent crimes who possess firearms from 15 to 20 years, and increases penalties for prohibited persons possessing assault weapons or ammunition from five to 15 years in prison. The legislation also makes transferring firearms to prohibited individuals a felony with a maximum sentence of four years instead of two, and increases penalties for dealers and others who violate transfer laws. These changes apply to offenses committed on or after August 1, 2026, and include exceptions for individuals whose firearm rights have been legally restored.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for unlawful firearm possession, particularly for those with prior violent convictions, strengthening public safety and criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Violent Crime

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