HF3506

Purpose

• This bill requires reporting on accidental firearm discharges by peace officers and amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 626.553 subdivision 2 to do so.

Main Provisions

• When a peace officer discharges a firearm in the line of duty (not for training or killing an animal) a notification must be filed within 30 days.
• The notification is to be filed by the officer’s department head with the commissioner of public safety.
• The commissioner of public safety must forward a copy of the filing to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
• The notification must include information about the reason for and the circumstances surrounding the discharge.
• The commissioner must file a report with the legislature by November 15 of each even-numbered year that summarizes information about the use of firearms by peace officers.

Data Details for Accidental or Negligent Discharges

• If the discharge is accidental or due to the officer’s negligence, the notification and the legislature report must also include:
  • the make, model, and caliber of the firearm, and information on any firearm accessories (including, but not limited to, lights, lasers, and holsters),
  • and whether those accessories were part of the firearm’s original manufacturing or aftermarket additions.

Reporting Timeline and Recipients

• Notification deadline: within 30 days of the incident.
• Legislative report deadline: November 15 of every even-numbered year.
• Recipients: department head (to the commissioner of public safety), commissioner forwards to POST, and the legislature receives the biennial summary.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Establishes mandatory reporting for firearm discharges by peace officers.
• Creates a formal data flow to the commissioner of public safety, POST, and the legislature.
• Expands required detail for accidental or negligent discharges to include firearm specifics and accessory provenance (factory vs. aftermarket).

Relevant Terms

• Discharge firearm
• peace officer
• course of duty
• not for training purposes
• killing of an animal that is sick, injured, or dangerous
• notification
• within 30 days
• department head
• commissioner of public safety
• Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
• report to the legislature
• November 15
• even-numbered year
• summary information concerning use of firearms by peace officers
• accidental
• negligence
• make
• model
• caliber
• firearm accessories
• lights
• lasers
• holsters
• manufacturing process
• aftermarket addition