1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to public safety; prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons in the
1.3 Capitol complex; eliminating the permit to carry holder exception to the crime of
1.4 carrying rifles and shotguns in public places; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
1.5 sections 609.66, subdivision 1g; 624.7181, subdivision 1.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.66, subdivision 1g, is amended to read:
1.8 Subd. 1g.Felony; possession in courthouse or certain state buildings.(a) A person
1.9who commits either of the following acts is guilty of a felony and may be sentenced to
1.10imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000,
1.11or both:
1.12 (1) possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives within any courthouse
1.13complex; or
1.14 (2) possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives in any state building
1.15within the Capitol Area described in chapter 15B, other than the National Guard Armory.
1.16 (b) Unless a person is otherwise prohibited or restricted by other law to possess a
1.17dangerous weapon, this subdivision does not apply to:
1.18 (1) licensed peace officers or military personnel who are performing official duties;
1.19 (2) persons who carry pistols according to the terms of a permit issued under section
1.20624.714 in a courthouse complex and who so notify the sheriff or the commissioner of
1.21public safety, as appropriate;
1Section 1.
25-01349 as introduced12/20/24 REVISOR KLL/DG
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 264NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: MARTY, Boldon and McEwen)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading01/16/2025
Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety 2.1 (3) persons who possess dangerous weapons in a courthouse complex for the purpose
2.2of display as demonstrative evidence during testimony at a trial or hearing or exhibition in
2.3compliance with advance notice and safety guidelines set by the sheriff or the commissioner
2.4of public safety; or
2.5 (4) persons who possess dangerous weapons in a courthouse complex with the express
2.6consent of the county sheriff or who possess dangerous weapons in a state building with
2.7the express consent of the commissioner of public safety.
2.8 (c) For purposes of this subdivision, the issuance of a permit to carry under section
2.9624.714 constitutes notification of the commissioner of public safety as required under
2.10paragraph (b), clause (2). Unless a person is otherwise prohibited or restricted by other law
2.11to possess a firearm, the prohibition in paragraph (a), clause (2), does not apply to persons
2.12authorized to carry a pistol under section 624.714, while the person is: (1) in a motor vehicle;
2.13or (2) outside of a motor vehicle to directly place a firearm in, or retrieve it from, the trunk
2.14or rear area of the vehicle.
2.15 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes
2.16committed on or after that date.
2.17 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 624.7181, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.18 Subdivision 1.Definitions.For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
2.19meanings given them.
2.20 (a) "BB gun" means a device that fires or ejects a shot measuring .18 of an inch or less
2.21in diameter.
2.22 (b) "Carry" does not include:
2.23 (1) the carrying of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun to, from, or at a place where firearms are
2.24repaired, bought, sold, traded, or displayed, or where hunting, target shooting, or other
2.25lawful activity involving firearms occurs, or at funerals, parades, or other lawful ceremonies;
2.26 (2) the carrying by a person of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun that is unloaded and in a gun
2.27case expressly made to contain a firearm, if the case fully encloses the firearm by being
2.28zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and no portion of the firearm is
2.29exposed;
2.30 (3) the carrying of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun by a person who has a permit under section
2.31624.714;
2Sec. 2.
25-01349 as introduced12/20/24 REVISOR KLL/DG 3.1 (4) (3) the carrying of an antique firearm as a curiosity or for its historical significance
3.2or value; or
3.3 (5) (4) the transporting of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun in compliance with section 97B.045.
3.4 (c) "Public place" means property owned, leased, or controlled by a governmental unit
3.5and private property that is regularly and frequently open to or made available for use by
3.6the public in sufficient numbers to give clear notice of the property's current dedication to
3.7public use but does not include: a person's dwelling house or premises, the place of business
3.8owned or managed by the person, or land possessed by the person; a gun show, gun shop,
3.9or hunting or target shooting facility; or the woods, fields, or waters of this state where the
3.10person is present lawfully for the purpose of hunting or target shooting or other lawful
3.11activity involving firearms.
3.12 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes
3.13committed on or after that date.
3Sec. 2.
25-01349 as introduced12/20/24 REVISOR KLL/DG