Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SF 4141: Lost and stolen firearms reported promptly to law enforcement requirement provision

This bill requires anyone who owns, possesses, or controls a firearm to report its loss or theft to local law enforcement within 48 hours of becoming aware of the incident. The law applies to all firearm owners in Minnesota and establishes escalating penalties, starting with a petty misdemeanor for a first violation and increasing to a gross misdemeanor for third or subsequent offenses. Additionally, the bill provides immunity from prosecution for firearm storage violations if the owner complies with the reporting requirement, and mandates that police chiefs and sheriffs forward these reports to the state commissioner of public safety within seven days. The legislation will take effect on August 1, 2026, and applies only to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by requiring prompt firearm loss reporting, enhancing law enforcement ability to track stolen weapons and prevent crimes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

Track

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SF 4290: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines banishment

This bill would ban the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines in Minnesota, directly affecting firearm owners and dealers. It defines prohibited weapons by listing specific models like AK-47s and AR-15s, while also including firearms with certain features such as pistol grips, folding stocks, or magazines holding more than ten rounds. The law establishes criminal penalties for violating the ban and amends existing state statutes to clarify what constitutes a prohibited weapon.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts firearm possession to enhance public safety and reduce gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 4699: Penalties for unlawful possession of firearms increased.

This bill increases criminal penalties for unlawful possession of firearms in Minnesota, directly affecting individuals who have prior violent crime convictions or are otherwise prohibited from owning guns. It raises the maximum prison sentence for those with violent crime convictions who possess firearms from 15 to 20 years and increases fines up to $30,000. The legislation also elevates penalties for prohibited persons possessing certain weapons from gross misdemeanors to felonies with up to 15 years in prison, and extends sentencing enhancements for offenses committed in sensitive locations like schools and parks. Additionally, it increases penalties for illegally transferring firearms to prohibited individuals, raising the maximum sentence from two to four years for private transfers and from five to eight years for transfers resulting in subsequent violent crimes. All changes take effect on August 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for unlawful firearm possession, strengthening public safety and criminal justice enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 12, 2026

HF 3744: Law enforcement prohibited from using tear gas, chemical weapons, and kinetic energy munitions.

HF 3744 prohibits Minnesota law enforcement officers and agencies from using tear gas, chemical weapons, and kinetic energy munitions (like rubber bullets) on civilian populations. It directly affects all state and local police departments, requiring them to stop using these tools in public safety operations. The bill mandates that law enforcement agencies develop written policies by January 15, 2027, based on a model policy created by the state board by November 15, 2026. This law updates existing statutes to ban these specific crowd-control methods while allowing limited use by the National Guard for official duties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans tear gas/kinetic weapons for police, enhancing accountability and protecting civilians - direct criminal justice reform aligned with indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

Track

died · Minnesota · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 3929: 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables law enforcement to access expunged records for firearm background checks, enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 3681: Semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazine prohibition and criminal penalties provision

Minnesota's SF 3681 would ban the possession of specific semiautomatic military-style assault weapons (like AR-15s, AK-47s, and similar models) and large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. It defines prohibited weapons by listing specific models and features, including firearms with folding stocks, pistol grips, or magazine capacities exceeding 10 rounds. The bill directly affects residents who currently own these banned firearms or magazines, requiring them to comply with the prohibition. Violations would incur criminal penalties under amended Minnesota statutes, though the exact penalties aren't detailed in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to reduce gun violence, directly advancing public safety within criminal justice reform framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

Track

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 3433: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons banned, and criminal penalties provided.

HF 3433 bans the possession of specific semiautomatic firearms designated as "military-style assault weapons," including models like AK-47s, AR-15s, and weapons with features such as folding stocks or pistol grips. The bill defines banned weapons to cover both listed models (e.g., Colt AR-15) and similar firearms with minor modifications like enhanced magazines or barrel attachments. It amends Minnesota statutes to impose criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, for violating the possession ban. This law directly affects individuals who own these specific firearms, requiring them to comply with the new restrictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans assault weapons to reduce gun violence, enhancing public safety within criminal justice framework as per bill's focus on firearms regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

Track