Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SF 3561: Reporting requirement on accidental discharges of firearms by peace officers

SF 3561 requires Minnesota peace officer departments to report all firearm discharges during duty (except training or animal control) to the Commissioner of Public Safety within 30 days. For accidental or negligent discharges, departments must include specific details about the firearm (make, model, caliber) and accessories (like lights or holsters), noting if they were factory or aftermarket. The Commissioner must then forward these reports to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and submit an annual summary to the legislature by November 15 each even-numbered year. This bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and aims to increase transparency around firearm use by officers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires detailed reporting of officer firearm discharges to enhance accountability and oversight, directly supporting criminal justice reform through improved law enforcement transparency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

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

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House May 12, 2026

HF 3658: Processes for applying for, securing, and enforcing extreme risk protection orders modified.

HF 3658 modifies Minnesota's process for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which are temporary court orders preventing individuals deemed a threat from accessing firearms. The bill expands who can file petitions - including law enforcement agencies, family/household members, and guardians - while clarifying definitions of "family or household members" and requiring specific evidence in petitions. Key changes include waiving court filing fees, mandating mental health professionals to report firearm-related suicide risks to law enforcement, and requiring courts to notify law enforcement and update background checks within 24 hours of issuing an order. These changes aim to streamline access to ERPOs for at-risk individuals and improve enforcement coordination.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands ERPO access to prevent gun violence, promoting criminal justice reform through preventive safety measures and reducing firearm-related harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 12, 2026

HF 3617: Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons banned, and criminal penalties provided.

HF 3617 bans the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, including specific firearms like AR-15 rifles and AK-47s, as well as weapons with features such as folding stocks, pistol grips, or detachable magazines. The bill defines these weapons broadly to cover both listed models and similar firearms with minor modifications, such as redesigned versions or enhanced features. Possessing a banned weapon would be a criminal offense under amended statutes, with penalties established for violations. This law directly affects individuals who own or possess these firearms, making such possession illegal under state law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill bans assault weapons to enhance public safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing gun violence and improving community safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 3350: Lifetime firearms ban on persons who are convicted of certain misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses established.

HF 3350 establishes a lifetime ban on firearm possession for individuals convicted of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses in Minnesota. This law directly affects people convicted of these specific domestic violence crimes by permanently prohibiting them from owning, buying, or possessing firearms. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to add this ban as a standard consequence of such convictions, replacing any prior provisions that might have allowed firearm access after sentencing. It creates a concrete policy change that restricts firearm access for this group for life, without exceptions for future conduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLifetime firearms ban for domestic assault convicts enhances public safety and aligns with criminal justice reform to prevent repeat offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SF 3905: Availability extension of funds appropriated for law enforcement use of force training

SF 3905 extends the deadline for using $250,000 in state funds allocated for law enforcement use-of-force training. The bill modifies existing law to allow these funds to remain available until June 30, 2027, instead of an earlier expiration date. This funding reimburses postsecondary schools $450 per peace officer who completes approved training programs, which must include scenario-based exercises with nonlethal ammunition, stress management, de-escalation techniques, and bias training. The training must be offered at no cost to officers or agencies and meet specific standards set by Minnesota law. This change directly affects eligible colleges and training programs serving peace officers across the state.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds de-escalation, bias, and scenario-based use-of-force training for law enforcement, directly promoting accountability and reform in criminal justice practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SF 3825: Requirement that loaded firearms be stored in locations where persons prohibited from possessing firearms cannot access the firearms

SF 3825 amends Minnesota law to require gun owners to store loaded firearms in locations where children *and* individuals prohibited from owning firearms (such as those with certain criminal records under section 624.713) cannot access them. The bill expands existing storage rules - previously focused only on children - to explicitly include prohibited persons, making it a gross misdemeanor to negligently leave a loaded firearm accessible to either group without proper security. Key provisions clarify that "loaded" includes firearms with ammunition in the chamber or magazine, and define the penalty for failure to secure firearms against access. This directly affects gun owners in households with children or individuals legally barred from firearm possession. The bill is currently in committee review after introduction on February 23, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents prohibited persons (including those with criminal records) from accessing loaded firearms, enhancing public safety and reducing gun violence risk per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

Track

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 · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SF 3661: Prohibit the sale and possession of ghost guns

SF 3661 prohibits the sale and possession of "ghost guns" - unserialized firearms made via 3D printing or lacking serial numbers - and requires all firearms to have unique serial numbers engraved on the frame or receiver. It gives current owners of unserialized firearms 180 days to add a serial number (via a federal licensee), destroy the firearm, remove it from the state, or surrender it to law enforcement. The law specifically targets DIY firearms that evade standard tracking, affecting residents who own such unserialized weapons or unfinished frames. It also bans distribution of 3D-printer firearm design files and requires public safety officials to issue notices about the new rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits untraceable ghost guns and mandates serial numbers, enhancing law enforcement's ability to track firearms and improve public safety within criminal justice framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

Track