Purpose

• Establishes a prohibition on possession, transfer, and certain dealings with semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons, aiming to reduce access to these firearms in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Definition and scope: Creates a formal definition of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon, including a detailed list of specific firearm models and features that make a weapon fall under the ban. It also covers weapons that are essentially the same design or substantially similar, including certain modifications that make a firearm resemble listed models.
• Prohibition: It is unlawful to transfer, own, or possess semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons (SMAWs). This includes sales, gifts, loans, or other transfers.
• Exceptions: Allows limited exceptions for government officers, armed forces, and certain law enforcement transfers, and for manufacturers or dealers under specific licensing scenarios to supply the military or law enforcement, with conditions such as time limits and proper licensing.
• Certification for current owners: Anyone who legally owned or possessed a SMAW before January 1, 2027 must request a certification of ownership by May 1, 2027. Law enforcement and the appropriate agency must issue a duplicate acceptance/request form.
• Storage and compliance: Owners must store SMAWs safely and securely per regulations set by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and allow inspections. Certification must be renewed every three years, and the weapon can only be possessed on property owned or controlled by the owner, at a licensed firing range, or while being transported legally.
• Transfer after certification: Regulated SMAWs must only be transferred to a law enforcement agency for destruction.
• Inheritance and acquisition scenarios: If a SMAW is acquired by inheritance, bequest, or succession, the new owner has 120 days to surrender for destruction, modify to be permanently inoperable, or remove the device from the state.
• Enforcement and regulation: The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension must adopt regulations on safe storage and implement the certification system.
• Penalties: Violations of the prohibition or certification/storage rules can result in serious penalties:
  • Subdivision 2 or 4(a) or (g): felony, up to 5 years in prison or a $25,000 fine (or both).
  • Subdivision 4(b), (c), (d), or (f): gross misdemeanor.
  • Second or subsequent violations: felony.
• Additional notes: A person convicted under these provisions can still be charged with other crimes; some provisions outline temporary enforcement windows and transitional rules.

Key Provisions and What They Aim to Accomplish

• Broad ban on SMAWs to limit access and possession in Minnesota.
• Clear process for current owners to certify ownership and comply with storage and inspection requirements.
• A structured path for handling inherited SMAWs and transfers to law enforcement for destruction.
• Strong penalties to deter violations and promote compliance.
• Regulatory framework to implement safe storage and certification oversight.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new prohibition on possession and transfer of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons.
• Introduces a formal certification process for existing SMAW owners and associated storage, inspection, and renewal requirements.
• Establishes a framework for destruction or removal of SMAWs from the state in certain scenarios, including inheritance.
• Expands enforcement provisions and penalties related to SMAWs, and directs the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to enact related regulations.

Timeline and Implementation Notes

• Certification deadline for current owners: May 1, 2027.
• Initial prohibition and definitions take effect upon enactment, with ongoing enforcement and certification renewals every three years.
• Inheritance or succession events trigger a 120-day window to surrender, modify, or remove the weapon from the state.

Notable Definitions and Terms (used in the bill)

• semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon (SMAW)
• transfer
• appropriate law enforcement agency
• certification of ownership
• destruction
• secure storage
• firing range
• modification to render permanently inoperable
• surrender to law enforcement
• recap: renewal every three years

Relevant Terms - semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon - possession - transfer - certification of ownership - storage - firing range - law enforcement - destruction - modification (to render inoperable) - inheritance / bequest / succession - penalties (felony, gross misdemeanor) - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension - safe storage regulations - 120-day transfer/removal window - 2027 deadline (January 1 and May 1 dates as cited) - license/appropriate law enforcement agency