SF3561

Purpose

To require formal reporting when peace officers discharge a firearm in the line of duty, increasing oversight and transparency around firearm use by law enforcement.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 626.553 subdivision 2 (Discharge firearm kill animal).
• When a peace officer discharges a firearm in the course of duty (not for training purposes and not while killing an animal that is sick, injured, or dangerous), notification must be filed within 30 days of the incident by the officer’s department head with the commissioner of public safety.
• The commissioner of public safety must forward a copy of the notification to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST Board).
• 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, containing summary information about the use of firearms by peace officers.
• If the discharge under the first paragraph is accidental or due to the officer’s negligence, the notification and the legislative report must also include:
  • Make, model, and caliber of the firearm.
  • Information on any firearm accessories (including but not limited to lights, lasers, and holsters), specifying whether the accessory was part of the manufacturing process or an aftermarket addition.

Significant Changes to Law

• Establishes a mandatory reporting requirement for peace officer firearm discharges, with a 30-day deadline.
• Creates a formal channel for reporting to the commissioner of public safety and the POST Board.
• Introduces a biannual (every even-numbered year) legislative report summarizing firearm use by peace officers.
• Expands required details for accidental or negligent discharges to include firearm make/model/caliber and accessory information, including manufacturing vs. aftermarket status.
• Maintains existing exceptions: reporting only applies to discharges in the course of duty, not for training, and not for the discharge that kills an animal (unless it’s part of the specified exceptions).

How It Works in Practice

• Department heads must act quickly (within 30 days) to report incidents.
• Oversight bodies (the commissioner and POST Board) receive copies and can review the data.
• Legislators receive a compiled summary every two years, enabling trend analysis and policy discussions.

Relevant terms peace officer; discharge a firearm (Discharge firearm); in the course of duty; not for training purposes; killing an animal; notification; department head; commissioner of public safety; Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training; POST Board; report to the legislature; even-numbered year; November 15; accidental discharge; negligent discharge; make; model; caliber; firearm accessories; lights; lasers; holsters; manufacturing process; aftermarket addition.