HF3617

Purpose

The bill would ban possession, transfer, and ownership of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota. It creates a statewide prohibition, sets penalties for violations, and establishes a process for current owners to certify ownership, store the weapons safely, and eventually surrender or modify them. It also outlines exemptions for certain government, military, and law enforcement activities.

Main Provisions

• What counts as a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon
  • The bill lists specific firearm models (such as AK-47-type rifles, AR-15-type rifles, Uzi-type pistols, and several other named models) and also covers any firearm that has the same action design or is a closely related version.
  • It includes additional features that make a firearm fall under the category, such as detachable magazines, pistol grips, folding or telescoping stocks, shrouds around the barrel, flash suppressors, and other enhancements.
  • It also covers conversion kits and any firearm produced under licensing that would be identical or nearly identical to the listed weapons.
  • Certain firearms are excluded only if permanently inoperable.
• Prohibition on possession and transfers
  • It is unlawful to transfer, own, or possess a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon.
  • Exceptions exist for government officers, armed forces, and peace officers acting within their duties.
  • Certain transfers to the U.S. armed forces or Minnesota law enforcement are allowed, and transfers by licensed dealers to those agencies are allowed if the weapon is not kept by the dealer for more than 120 days.
• Certification for current owners
  • Anyone who legally owned or possessed such a weapon before January 1, 2027, must request a certification of ownership by May 1, 2027.
  • The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and local law enforcement must issue a duplicate copy of the certification request.
  • Certified owners must store the weapon securely, allow storage inspections, renew the certification every three years, and limit possession to property they own or control, licensed firing ranges, or while transporting in compliance with law.
  • If a weapon is lost or stolen, the owner must report it within 48 hours.
  • Certified owners cannot purchase or receive additional semiautomatic military-style assault weapons.
• Transfer, destruction, and inheritance provisions
  • Weapons regulated under this section may only be transferred to a law enforcement agency for destruction.
  • Inheritances require the new owner to surrender the weapon for destruction, modify it to make it permanently inoperable, or remove it from the state within a set timeframe (e.g., 120 days for inheritance).
• Ongoing compliance and enforcement
  • The BCA must adopt regulations on safe storage and to implement the certification system.
  • Violations carry penalties: felonies for certain offenses (up to five years in prison or a $25,000 fine), and gross misdemeanors for other specified violations. A second or subsequent violation can be a felony.
  • Prosecution for these offenses does not bar pursuit of other crimes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a statewide prohibition on possession and transfers of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons.
• Creates a mandatory certification-and-storage regime for current owners, including a defined deadline (May 1, 2027) and ongoing renewal requirements.
• Establishes mandatory storage standards and periodic inspections.
• Requires disposal or legal removal (surrender, destruction, or removal from the state) for those who do not certify or who inherit such weapons.
• Expands penalties for violations and clarifies which entities may handle transfers, destruction, and law enforcement involvement.

Implementation and Practical Considerations

• A transitional period is created through the May 1, 2027 certification deadline and subsequent renewal every three years.
• Law enforcement agencies and the BCA play central roles in implementing storage regulations, certification, and enforcement.
• The bill seeks to reduce the number of these weapons in civilian hands, potentially affecting owners of many commonly used models and configurations.

Potential Impacts

• People who currently own or previously owned semiautomatic military-style assault weapons must decide whether to certify, modify, surrender, or remove the weapon from the state.
• Law enforcement and regulatory agencies gain new authorities to inspect storage and enforce compliance.
• Possession, transfer, and ownership pathways for these weapons become highly restricted or eliminated outside of specific government contexts.

Relevant Terms semiautomatic military-style assault weapon; possession; transfer; certification of ownership; May 1, 2027; Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA); storage requirements; digital/physical inspection; renewal every three years; surrender for destruction; law enforcement exception; conversion kit; detachable magazine; pistol grip; folding stock; shroud; flash suppressor; capacity over ten rounds; listed firearm models (AK-47-type, AR-15-type, Uzi-type, etc.); inheritance; licensed firing range; unlawful to own or transfer; penalties (felony, gross misdemeanor).