HF3357

Purpose

The bill aims to enhance public safety by prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives in the Capitol complex, including courthouses and state buildings within the Capitol Area. It also addresses how data related to the bill is handled by the legislature and clarifies certain carry-permit rules and exemptions.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition and scope
  • Makes it a felony to possess dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives within any courthouse complex or within any state building in the Capitol Area (as defined in state law).
  • The prohibition applies unless a person is otherwise legally prohibited or restricted by other laws to possess a dangerous weapon.
• Penalties
  • A person who commits this offense may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, or up to a $10,000 fine, or both.
• Exceptions and permitted activities
  • Licensed peace officers or military personnel performing official duties are generally exempt.
  • Individuals who carry pistols under a permit issued under state law (section 624.714) may do so in a courthouse complex if they notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety as appropriate.
  • People may possess dangerous weapons in a courthouse complex for the purpose of display as demonstrative evidence during testimony, at a trial or hearing, or during an exhibition, provided advance notice and safety guidelines are followed.
  • Possession is allowed with the express consent of the county sheriff (in courthouses) or the express consent of the commissioner of public safety (in state buildings).
  • Retired peace officers who carry pistols as authorized by federal law (18 U.S.C. 926C) and who work in a primary security function for the Minnesota House of Representatives are included.
• Carry-permit details
  • For purposes of this section, having a carry permit under §624.714 is treated as notice to the commissioner of public safety, and the permit’s conditions do not override the stated prohibitions except as specified in the exemptions above.
  • The rule about carrying in a vehicle or placing/removing a firearm from a vehicle’s trunk or rear area remains applicable to those authorized to carry under §624.714, with the stated exceptions.
• Capitol Area and National Guard Armory
  • The restrictions cover the Capitol Area and state buildings described in chapter 15B, with an exception for the National Guard Armory.

Data Practices Provisions

• The committee handling this bill is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13).
• The committee may request access to nonpublic data as needed to fulfill its responsibilities under this section, and government entities must provide such data if it is relevant.
• Limitations on data access
  • The committee must not be given access to data classified under section 13.87 subdivision 2.
  • The committee must not gain access to data about persons who provide the notice described in section 609.66 subdivision 1g paragraph b clause 2.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes a new felony offense for possessing dangerous weapons in courthouses and Capitol Area buildings, with penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or up to a $10,000 fine.
• Creates a set of specified exceptions and carry-permit-related provisions that clarify when and how individuals may possess weapons in these locations.
• Expands and clarifies the scope to include state buildings within the Capitol Area (and specifies exclusions such as the National Guard Armory).
• Adds a data-access framework for a legislative committee to review nonpublic data related to the bill, with clear privacy protections and restrictions.

Relevant Terms dangerous weapons, ammunition, explosives, courthouse complex, Capitol Area, state buildings, Capitol Area described in chapter 15B, National Guard Armory, felony possession, imprisonment, five years, fines, exceptions, licensed peace officers, military personnel, official duties, pistol carry, permit under section 624.714, sheriff, commissioner of public safety, demonstrative evidence, advanced notice, safety guidelines, express consent, retired peace officers, United States Code 18 U.S.C. 926C, primary security function, House of Representatives, data practices, Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, nonpublic data, 13.87 subdivision 2, 609.66 subdivision 1g, data requests, notice.