Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2026

HF 3506: Reporting on accidental discharges of firearms by peace officers required.

HF 3506 requires Minnesota police departments to report accidental firearm discharges by peace officers to the commissioner of public safety within 30 days. If the discharge was accidental or due to negligence, the report must include the firearm's make, model, caliber, and details about any accessories (like lights or holsters), specifying whether they were factory or aftermarket. The commissioner then compiles an annual report for the legislature by November 15 each even-numbered year, summarizing all officer firearm use. This bill directly affects police departments and peace officers by mandating detailed reporting on accidental discharges, aiming to increase transparency around such incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police reporting of accidental firearm discharges, enhancing officer accountability and transparency in law enforcement conduct.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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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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in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 18, 2026

HF 3498: Penalty for transferring a firearm to an unauthorized person increased, mandatory minimum sentence for certain transfers of a firearm to an ineligible person established, and affirmative defense removed.

HF 3498 increases penalties for transferring firearms to people legally prohibited from owning them, such as those denied permits or disqualified under Minnesota law. It raises the maximum prison term for standard transfers from two to three years and the fine to $10,000, while establishing a mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence (or the standard sentencing guideline term, whichever is longer) for transfers where the firearm is later used in a violent crime within one year. The bill also removes a previous defense allowing defendants to claim they were forced by a family member to transfer the firearm. This change directly affects individuals who transfer guns to ineligible persons, eliminating a legal option for those claiming coercion in domestic situations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences and prison terms for firearm transfers to prohibited persons, aligning with OPPOSE indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate May 13, 2026

SF 3600: Lifetime firearms ban on persons who are convicted of certain misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses establishment

SF 3600 establishes a lifetime ban on firearm possession for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor domestic assault offenses in Minnesota. The bill directly affects people found guilty of these specific domestic violence-related assaults, prohibiting them from owning or possessing firearms for life. It amends Minnesota Statutes to implement this ban, changing existing law to require that such convictions automatically trigger the firearm prohibition. The law applies to offenses classified as misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors under Minnesota's domestic assault statutes, not felony domestic violence cases. This is a substantive policy change to restrict firearm access for a specific category of domestic violence offenders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImposes lifetime firearm ban on domestic assault convicts, enhancing public safety and reducing recidivism risk. Aligns with criminal justice reform goals of victim protection and preventing repeat violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SF 511: Firearm safety training requirement for persons purchasing firearms provision, firearm sales records retention requirement provision, and criminal penalties provision

This bill requires all individuals purchasing a firearm (except specific exclusions like dealers, law enforcement, or antique sales) to provide proof of recent firearm safety training before completing a sale. The training must cover safe handling, storage, legal use, and include a shooting exercise, verified by a certificate from an approved instructor. Sellers must document the transaction with copies of the buyer's ID, training certificate, and firearm details, retaining these records for ten years. Failure to produce these records during a police investigation is a misdemeanor offense. The bill directly affects all firearm purchasers in Minnesota who are not exempt under the specified exclusions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires firearm safety training to prevent gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing crime through prevention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 493: Firearms transfer to persons who are ineligible to possess firearms prohibition modified.

HF 493 repeals a legal defense that allowed family or household members to avoid criminal charges for transferring firearms to ineligible people when claiming they were forced by threats of harm. The bill removes a specific exception requiring proof that the transfer occurred under compulsion (such as threats of serious injury or death) to excuse violations of firearm transfer rules. This change eliminates the ability to use past domestic abuse or threats as a defense for transferring firearms to individuals prohibited from owning them. The core prohibition on transferring firearms to ineligible persons remains unchanged, but the removed defense previously applied to family or household members in such cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves defense for firearm transfers under duress (e.g., domestic abuse), strengthening accountability and victim protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 784: Judicially ordered firearms restrictions for abusing parties enforcement provision

SF 784 requires courts to automatically prohibit abusive parties in domestic child abuse cases from possessing firearms when an order of protection includes specific findings about credible threats to a child's safety. It mandates that abusive parties transfer all firearms to a federally licensed dealer, law enforcement, or a legally permitted third party within three business days. The bill specifies that temporary transfers allow the firearm to be returned after the protective order expires (if the person is no longer prohibited from owning firearms), while permanent transfers involve surrendering firearms without compensation. This applies directly to individuals found by a court to pose a credible threat to children in domestic abuse cases, as defined under Minnesota law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates automatic firearm restrictions for abusive parties in domestic child abuse cases to protect children and enhance public safety, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Firearms

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in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SF 1596: Sale or transfer of a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon prohibition

This bill prohibits the sale or transfer of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota, directly affecting owners and sellers of these firearms. It defines such weapons as specific models (like AR-15s, AK-47s, and Uzis) and firearms with features including folding stocks, detachable magazines, or pistol grips. The bill also authorizes a state-funded buyback program for these weapons and amends Minnesota law to implement the ban. The definition excludes weapons permanently made inoperable.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans assault weapons and funds buyback to reduce gun violence, a key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 19, 2025

HF 1117: Local units of government prohibited from disarming peace officers who are in good standing.

This bill prohibits local government officials (mayors, city councils, county boards, or chief law enforcement officers) from disarming peace officers who are in good standing and not under investigation or disciplinary action, unless another law specifically authorizes it. It directly affects peace officers and the local officials who manage their employment. The key provision amends Minnesota Statutes section 626.8452 to add this restriction, ensuring qualified officers cannot be disarmed without legal justification. The law takes effect the day after it is enacted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents local governments from disarming qualified peace officers, directly supporting law enforcement operations by ensuring officers can perform duties without arbitrary disarmament.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 24, 2025

HF 3017: Funding provided for a retreat center for victims of gun violence, and money appropriated.

HF 3017 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for a nonprofit organization, Guns Down Love Up, to acquire property for a retreat center specifically for victims of gun violence. The funds are designated for property acquisition only, not for operating the center, and must be spent within the fiscal year 2026 timeframe. This bill directly affects individuals who have experienced gun violence by providing funding for a dedicated support space. The appropriation is subject to standard state fiscal rules and becomes effective upon final enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for victim retreat center property, directly funding a public service program under budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim support services for gun violence survivors, directly addressing crime victims within criminal justice framework per bill subjects and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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