HF4170

HF4170 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines banned, and criminal penalties provided.

Related bill: SF3655

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill would ban possession of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Minnesota, and it would create criminal penalties for violations. It also changes and adds definitions in Minnesota’s gun laws to implement and enforce this ban.

Main provisions

Prohibition on possession
- The bill prohibits possessing semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons (SMAWS). A weapon is considered an SMAW if it falls into specific model types or if it has certain features that make it militarystyle.
- It includes a long list of firearm models and types (for example, certain AK-47-type rifles, AR-type rifles, MAC-10/MAC-11, TEC-9, Uzi, Steyr AUG, and multiple other named rifles/pistols) and also covers rifles and pistols that are manufactured by another company under a licensing agreement to be identical or nearly identical to those listed.
- It also covers firearms that are redesigned, renamed, or renumbered versions of these listed firearms, or that have minor modifications such as a folding stock, adjustable sights, different calibers, bayonet mounts, or other features that make them similar in action design.
- The bill notes that some of these weapons were previously barred from importation by federal authorities (BATF) and clarifies that permanently inoperable firearms are not considered SMAWs.
Definitions and scope of SMAW
- SMAW includes not only named models but also firearms that can accept a detachable magazine and have one or more qualifying features (pistol grips, thumbhole stocks, folding/ telescoping stocks, shrouds around the barrel, flash suppressors, or other features that enable use with a non-trigger hand).
- It also includes semiautomatic pistols or rifles with fixed or detachable magazines that have more than ten rounds, and pistols with certain additional features (grip, stock types, shrouds, threaded barrels, etc.).
- The definition explicitly covers semiautomatic shotguns with certain features (pistol grips, folding/ telescoping stocks, large-capacity or detachable magazines) and shotguns with revolving cylinders or conversion kits capable of assembling SMAWs.
Large-capacity magazines
- The bill defines “large-capacity magazine” as any feeding device that can hold more than ten rounds, or parts that enable assembly of such a device, when in possession or control of the same person.
- It provides exceptions: permanently altered devices that can only hold ten or fewer rounds; certain .22 caliber tube feeding devices; and tubular magazines in lever-action firearms.
Amendments to Minnesota Statutes
- The proposal would add and modify specific Minnesota Statutes (including sections cited in the bill) to codify the new prohibition and definitions and to create penalties for violations.
- It references adding new subdivisions and sections to Chapter 624 to implement these prohibitions and definitions, along with cross-references to other related sections.

Significant changes to existing law

New ban on possession of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons, with a detailed, enumerated list of included models and feature-based criteria.
New, explicit definition of large-capacity magazines (>10 rounds) and specified exemptions.
Creation of new statutory subdivisions and sections within Minnesota’s gun laws to enforce the SMAW ban and large-capacity magazine prohibition, including penalties for violations.
Clarification that certain firearms that are permanently inoperable are not considered SMAWs.
Incorporation of historical importation restrictions and licensing concepts into the scope of the new prohibitions.

Potential implications

Owners of the listed firearms or any firearm matching the described features could be subject to penalties if they possess SMAWs or large-capacity magazines.
The law would require firearm owners and dealers to assess whether a firearm or magazine falls under the SMAW or large-capacity definitions.
Law enforcement and courts would apply the new definitions and penalties in enforcing possession restrictions.

Terminology and key concepts (from the bill)

Semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon (SMAW)
Large-capacity magazine
Detachable magazine
Pistol grip
Thumbhole stock
Folding stock
Telescoping stock
Shroud
Flash suppressor
Conversion kit
Lever-action tubular magazine
Permanently inoperable firearm
Enumerated firearm models (e.g., AK-47-type, AR-15-type, Uzi, TEC-9, Steyr AUG, MAC10/MAC11, etc.)
Licensing/identical design provisions (weapons manufactured under licensing that are identical or nearly identical)

Relevant Terms - semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon - large-capacity magazine - detachable magazine - pistol grip - folding stock - telescoping stock - shroud - flash suppressor - conversion kit - ten-round limit - permanently inoperable - firearm models (AK-47, AR-15, Uzi, TEC-9, Steyr AUG, MAC-10, MAC-11, etc.) - Minnesota Statutes sections 624.712, 624.713, 624.7131, 624.7132, 624.7134, 624.7141, 624.7181

Relevant Terms (plain) semiautomatic, assault weapon, firearm, magazine, large-capacity magazine, detachable magazine, stock, grip, shroud, flash suppressor, conversion kit, lever-action, tubular magazine, inoperable, model, license, importation, BATF

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 12, 2026	House		Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
March 16, 2026	House		Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 609.66, Subd. 1f, as part of the crimes targeted by the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.66",
    "subdivision": "Subd.1f"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2024, 624.712, Subd. 7 (definition of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon) as amended by the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.712",
    "subdivision": "Subd.7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2024, 624.712, Subd. 22 (large-capacity magazine) added by the bill.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.712",
    "subdivision": "Subd.22"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2024, 624.713 Subd. 1 (definition/description domain related to the bill).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.713",
    "subdivision": "Subd.1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7131 Subd. 10 (new subdivision added by the bill).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7131",
    "subdivision": "Subd.10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 3 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 4 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 5 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 10 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 12 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.12"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 15 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.15"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7134 Subd. 2 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7134",
    "subdivision": "Subd.2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7134 Subd. 3 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7134",
    "subdivision": "Subd.3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7134 Subd. 4 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7134",
    "subdivision": "Subd.4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7134 Subd. 5 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7134",
    "subdivision": "Subd.5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7141 Subd. 1 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7141",
    "subdivision": "Subd.1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7141 Subd. 3 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7141",
    "subdivision": "Subd.3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7181 Subd. 2 (new subdivision).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7181",
    "subdivision": "Subd.2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites federal law: United States Code, Title 18, § 925(d)(3) (as referenced in the bill regarding sporting-purposes exemption or related provisions).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3)",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7131 Subd. 1 (existing or amended subdivision cited in text).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7131",
    "subdivision": "Subd.1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cites Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, 624.7132 Subd. 1 (existing or amended subdivision cited in text).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.7132",
    "subdivision": "Subd.1"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%

In Committee