SF4896 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Firearm transfer to an unauthorized person penalty increase provision, mandatory minimum sentence for certain transfers of a firearm to an ineligible person establishment provision and affirmative defense removal provision
Related bill: HF3498
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- Strengthen penalties for transferring a firearm to someone who is not legally allowed to possess it.
- Create a mandatory minimum sentence for certain transfers to an ineligible person.
- Remove an affirmative defense related to these transfers.
- Update the statutory rules about when a transfer is prohibited and who qualifies as ineligible.
Main provisions
- Transfers to ineligible recipients: A person commits a felony and can be sentenced to imprisonment up to two to three years and fined up to $10,000 if they intentionally transfer a firearm to someone they know or should know is not eligible to possess the firearm (based on eligibility to possess a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon, or any firearm) due to Section 624.713 determinations or transfer reports, or due to being found ineligible by a chief of police or sheriff.
- Scope of ineligibility: The ineligibility can come from not having a valid permit to possess or from being disqualified under the relevant statutes.
- Age-based exception: The transfer prohibition does not apply to transferring a firearm (other than a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon) to a person under 18 who is not disqualified from possessing any other firearm.
- Mandatory minimum and removal of defense: The bill establishes a mandatory minimum sentence for certain transfers to ineligible persons and removes an affirmative defense that might otherwise apply to these transfers.
- Statutory changes: The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141, subdivisions 1 and 2, and repeals subdivision 4.
Significant changes to existing law
- Adds a mandatory minimum sentence for transfers to ineligible persons.
- Increases or clarifies the potential imprisonment (up to two to three years) and fines (up to $10,000) for prohibited transfers.
- Eliminates an affirmative defense currently available in these cases.
- Expands the circumstances under which a transfer is considered prohibited, including knowledge standards about the transferee’s eligibility and police/sheriff determinations.
- Specifies an age-based carve-out for transfers of firearms other than pistols or semiautomatic military-style weapons to certain minors.
- Repeals an existing subdivision (subdivision 4) of the statute and updates the related provisions.
Practical impact
- People who transfer a firearm to someone who is not legally allowed to possess it could face felony charges, longer potential prison time, and higher fines.
- Those who transfer to ineligible persons will face a mandatory minimum sentence in certain cases.
- The legal defense previously available to some defendants will be removed, potentially increasing prosecutorial reach.
- Some transfers to minors involving non-pistol/non-semiautomatic firearms remain allowed under specific conditions.
Relevant terms
- transfer prohibited
- firearm
- pistol
- semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon
- ineligible
- permit to carry
- Section 624.713
- chief of police or sheriff
- transferee
- transfer report
- affirmative defense
- mandatory minimum sentence
- Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141
- disqualified
Relevant Terms - transfer prohibited - firearm - pistol - semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon - ineligible - permit to carry - transferee - chief of police or sheriff - transfer report - mandatory minimum sentence - affirmative defense - Minnesota Statutes 624.7141 - disqualified - Section 624.713
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishes a mandatory minimum sentence for transferring a firearm to an ineligible person."
],
"removed": [
"Removes an affirmative defense.",
"Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141 subdivision 4."
],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141, subdivision 1 to prohibit certain firearm transfers to ineligible persons and to impose harsher penalties, including a mandatory minimum sentence; it also repeals subdivision 4 and removes an affirmative defense.",
"modified": [
"Amends penalties and transfer prohibitions; references to eligibility under sections 624.713 and 624.714."
]
},
"citation": "624.7141",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill also amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141, subdivision 2, though the specific changes are not shown in the excerpt.",
"modified": [
"Subdivision 2 is amended; content not shown in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "624.7141",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [
"Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141 subdivision 4."
],
"summary": "This bill repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.7141 subdivision 4.",
"modified": [
"Subdivision 4 repealed."
]
},
"citation": "624.7141",
"subdivision": "Subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.713 to determine eligibility to possess a pistol or semiautomatic military-style assault weapon or any other firearm.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "624.713",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 624.714 to determine possession rules for firearms in the transfer context.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "624.714",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee