Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 4745: Firearms prohibited in buildings owned by or under the control of state or local governments, and criminal penalties provided.

This bill prohibits 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 the building's supervisor. The law classifies violations as a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, and applies to buildings used for government administration. The prohibition takes effect on August 1, 2026, and does not apply to locations already covered by existing firearm restrictions in other subdivisions of the same statute.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts firearm possession in government buildings, enhancing public safety and protecting government operations from potential harm.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 4480: Lost and stolen firearms requirement to be reported promptly to law enforcement

This bill requires anyone who loses or has a firearm stolen to report it to local law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering the loss or theft. It establishes escalating penalties for violations, ranging from a petty misdemeanor for a first offense to a gross misdemeanor for third or subsequent offenses. The law also includes provisions that protect individuals from prosecution for firearm storage violations when they comply with reporting requirements, and mandates that police chiefs and sheriffs forward reports to the state commissioner of public safety within seven days. To support implementation, the bill appropriates $36,000 in 2027 to fund a reporting system managed by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The measure would take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement by requiring prompt reporting of lost/stolen firearms, enhancing public safety and reducing illegal gun circulation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SF 4703: Extreme risk protection orders application, securement, and enforcement processes modifications

This bill modifies Minnesota's extreme risk protection order (ERPO) laws to update how these orders are applied for, secured, and enforced. It expands who can petition for an ERPO to include attorneys' offices and allows respondents to petition on their own behalf, while clarifying definitions for family members and mental health professionals. The legislation requires courts to provide simplified forms, waives all filing and service fees, and mandates that orders be shared with law enforcement and the national background check system within specific timeframes. Additionally, it updates procedures for emergency relief petitions and clarifies the role of law enforcement in considering such requests.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens ERPO enforcement and expands access to protective orders, enhancing public safety and law enforcement coordination within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 4075: Uniform procedure established for imposition, implementation, and oversight of firearm restrictions resulting from certain criminal convictions and judicial orders.

This bill establishes a uniform process for handling firearm restrictions when children are involved in abuse cases or need protection services in Minnesota. It requires that petitions filed by individuals for children in need of protection include a description of any firearms believed to be possessed by the abusing party or present in the child's home. The legislation also mandates that courts prohibit abusing parties from possessing firearms for the duration of protective orders when specific conditions are met, and requires those individuals to transfer their firearms to licensed dealers, law enforcement, or other authorized parties within three business days. These changes directly affect judges, social service agencies, law enforcement, and individuals involved in child protection and domestic abuse proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by requiring firearm disclosure in child abuse cases and mandating firearm prohibitions for abusing parties under protective orders, enhancing victim protection and accountability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms Law Enforcement

died · Minnesota · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SF 4294: Uniform procedure establishment for imposition, implementation, and oversight of firearms restrictions resulting from certain criminal convictions and judicial orders

This bill establishes a uniform process for handling firearm restrictions when individuals are subject to certain criminal convictions or judicial orders in Minnesota. It directly affects courts, law enforcement agencies, and individuals involved in domestic child abuse cases by standardizing how firearm prohibitions are imposed and monitored. Key provisions require courts to order abusing parties to transfer firearms to licensed dealers or law enforcement when issuing protection orders, mandate specific forms for child protection petitions that include firearm descriptions, and set clear timelines for firearm transfers. The legislation also clarifies that courts cannot dismiss child protection petitions simply because firearm information is missing, ensuring these safety measures are consistently applied across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by standardizing firearm restrictions for individuals with criminal convictions or domestic abuse orders, enhancing oversight and protecting communities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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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 · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 3976: Lost and stolen firearms required to be reported promptly to law enforcement, criminal penalties provided, and money appropriated.

This bill requires anyone who loses or has their firearm stolen to report it to local law enforcement within 48 hours of discovering the loss or theft. It establishes escalating criminal penalties for failing to report, ranging from a petty misdemeanor for a first offense to a gross misdemeanor for third or subsequent violations. The law also protects individuals from prosecution for firearm storage violations if they report the loss or theft as required. Police chiefs and sheriffs must forward these reports to the state commissioner of public safety within seven days, and the state will receive $36,000 to fund a reporting system for this purpose. The bill takes effect on August 1, 2026, and applies to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by requiring prompt reporting of lost/stolen firearms, reducing illegal gun circulation and enhancing law enforcement effectiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 7, 2026

HF 3937: Criminal penalty for impersonating a peace officer increased, crime of impersonating while possessing a firearm established, enhanced penalties for committing an offense while impersonating established, and individuals presenting as peace officers required to identify themselves.

This bill strengthens penalties for falsely impersonating a peace officer in Minnesota by upgrading the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony and adding new crimes for impersonating while possessing a firearm or using marked law enforcement vehicles. It also establishes enhanced sentencing when someone commits other crimes while pretending to be an officer, including extending maximum jail time for serious offenses. Additionally, the law requires law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves by name, agency, and identification number when interacting with the public. These changes directly affect individuals who falsely claim to be police officers and law enforcement personnel who must follow new identification requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for impersonating peace officers, enhancing public safety and law enforcement credibility, which supports criminal justice integrity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 25, 2026

HF 4539: Safe storage standards for firearms established, criminal penalties for failing to meet those standards established, and money appropriated.

This bill establishes new safe storage standards for firearms in Minnesota and creates criminal penalties for failing to meet those standards. It requires firearm owners to store guns either unloaded with a locking device or locked in a secure storage unit or locked gun room, except when the firearm is under direct physical control. The law defines specific terms like "firearm storage unit" and "gun room" and sets up escalating penalties ranging from petty misdemeanors to felonies depending on whether a child or prohibited person accesses the firearm. The bill includes several exceptions for situations like hunting, shooting sports, and law enforcement duties, and it will take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes firearm storage standards to reduce accidental shootings and gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals by enhancing public safety and reducing harm.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 23, 2026

HF 4359: 2024 amendment to definition of trigger activator reenacted, 2024 changes to crime of transferring a firearm to an ineligible person reenacted with amendments, and affirmative defense repealed for transfers of a firearm to an ineligible person by family or household members.

This bill reenacts and modifies existing Minnesota laws regarding firearms, specifically addressing binary trigger devices and transfers to ineligible individuals. It maintains a ban on binary trigger activators effective from January 1, 2025, and updates penalties for transferring firearms to people who are legally prohibited from owning them. Additionally, the bill removes a legal defense that previously allowed family or household members to claim they were forced to transfer a firearm due to threats of violence. These changes apply to crimes committed after the bill is enacted, with the binary trigger ban also applying retroactively to offenses occurring since January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by maintaining firearm bans and removing defenses for illegal transfers to ineligible persons, enhancing criminal justice enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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