Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, and establishes other regulations related to firearms in Minnesota.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $14.7 million to the Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2027 (Art. 1).

• Appropriates $19 million to the Department of Education for fiscal year 2027 (Art. 1).

• Expands the definition of “semiautomatic military-style assault weapon” to include the following (Art. 2):

• Any semiautomatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and has one or more of the following;

• A pistol grip or thumbhole stock;

• Any feature functioning as a protruding grip meant to be held by the nontrigger hand;

• A folding or telescoping stock; or

• A shroud attached to the barrel that prevents burning when held.

• A semiautomatic pistol that can accept a detachable magazine and has one or more of the following;

• Any feature functioning as a protruding grip meant to be held by the nontrigger hand;

• A folding, telescoping, or thumbhole stock;

• A shroud attached to the barrel that prevents burning when held; or

• The ability to accept a detachable magazine anywhere besides the pistol grip.

• A semiautomatic shotgun that has one or more of the following;

• A pistol grip or thumbhole stock;

• Any feature functioning as a protruding grip meant to be held by the nontrigger hand;

• A folding or telescoping stock;

• A fixed magazine capacity over 17 rounds; or

• An ability to accept a detachable magazine.

• A shotgun with a revolving cylinder; or

• A conversion kit, part, or combination of parts from which an assault weapon can be assembled.

• Defines “large-capacity magazine” as any ammunition feeding device with the ability to accept more than 17 rounds, or any conversion kit, part, or combination of parts from which a large-capacity magazine can be assembled (Art. 2).

• Prohibits unlicensed individuals from transferring a large-capacity magazine without a valid transferee permit (Art. 2).

• Requires proof of legal acquisition prior to the transfer of a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or large-capacity magazine by a permitted transferor (Art. 2).

• Prohibits a firearms dealer from selling a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or large-capacity magazine (Art. 2).

• Classifies a violation of this prohibition as a gross misdemeanor, or a felony with a sentence of up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000 if an individual sells more than 10 prohibited items within a 180-day period (Art. 2).

• Exempts the following from the prohibitions described above (Art. 2):

• A sale to a firearms dealer;

• A sale to any law enforcement agency;

• A sale to any of the following when the purchaser is acting within their official duties;

• A peace officer;

• A member of the United States armed forces, the National Guard, or the Reserves;

• A federal law enforcement officer; or

• A security guard employed by a licensed protective agent.

• A sale to an immediate family member;

• A sale of an antique firearm;

• A sale of a curio or relic between licensed collectors; or

• A gift, transfer at death, or temporary transfer or loan for less than 30 days.

• Requires an individual who owns a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or large-capacity magazine to certify the item with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and renew the certification every three years (Art. 2).

• Classifies the possession of an uncertified assault weapon or magazine under this Article as a gross misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation as a felony (Art. 2).

• Specifies that the provisions of Article 2 take effect July 1, 2027 (Art. 2).

• Establishes guidance and recommendations for school districts or charter schools to implement a local anonymous threat reporting system (Art. 3).

• Expands the definition of “school property” to include the portion of a building or facility hosting an activity or event sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League (Art. 3).

• Amends the exemptions to the prohibition against carrying a firearm on school property by adding exemptions for authorized or contracted security and retired peace officers, and repealing exemptions for items such as BB guns and possession when students are not present (Art. 3).

• Expands the crime of negligent storage of a firearm in a location where a child could gain access to include locations where other prohibited individuals could gain access (Art. 3).

• Defines “ghost gun” as a firearm or frame that lacks a unique serial number, is undetectable by a metal detector, or is manufactured by a 3-D printer (Art. 3).

• Classifies the possession or sale of a ghost gun or the alteration of a firearm’s serial number as a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $10,000 (Art. 3).

• Authorizes individuals in possession of a firearm or frame that lacks a unique serial number to have one engraved or imprinted by a firearms dealer within a certain period of time from the effective date of this Article (Art. 3).

• Classifies the sale or transfer of instructions that may be used to 3-D print a ghost gun as a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment (Art. 3).

• Limits the number of firearms that an individual who is not a federal firearms licensee can manufacture per year to three, and requires them to request a unique serial number on any manufactured firearms (Art. 3). 

• Amends laws related to extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), including by expanding the list of authorized parties who may file an ERPO to include law enforcement agencies as a whole and the offices of county and city attorneys (Art. 3).

• Authorizes courts to extend an ERPO for up to five years when the respondent has violated a previous ERPO or has been subject to two or more ERPOs (Art. 3).

• Repeals the requirement for law enforcement to notify a respondent prior to disposing of abandoned firearms, and to reimburse a respondent for permanently transferred firearms (Art. 3).

• Authorizes law enforcement agencies to charge a processing fee for the storage of firearms (Art. 3).

• Requires the medical assistance program’s reimbursement rates for neuropsychological assessments, neuropsychological testing, and psychological testing to equal 100% of the published Medicare rates (Art. 4).

• Repeals the requirement for the medical assistance program to reimburse masters-prepared mental health professionals at 80% of the rate paid to doctoral-prepared professionals (Art. 4).

• Amends various laws to make conforming changes with Article 2 of this Act (Art. 5).

Full Bill Text