Minnesota: NRA-Backed Omnibus Legislation Signed Into Law

Thanks to the hard work of NRA members and pro-gun legislators, Governor Dayton has signed Senate File 878. This is great news for Minnesota gun owners! Thank you to NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their lawmakers in support of this important pro-gun legislation.

Earlier this week, as previously reported, the Minnesota legislature adopted and re-passed Senate File 878 with strong bipartisan support in both chambers.  Following a very rapid 55-9 vote by the Senate and a 116-15 vote in the House, SF 878 was sent to Governor Mark Dayton (D) for his signature.

SF 878 contains the following provisions, as well as many other measures unrelated to Second Amendment issues:

• Prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation and defensive use of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency, like the actions that occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (House File 722/Senate File 2091)
• Align Minnesota with more than 40 other states that have conformed their statutes to federal law so that their residents can purchase rifles and shotguns in non-contiguous states, provided that the purchase or transfer complies with state and federal law. (House File 830/Senate File 900)
• Modify the Capitol Carry Notification provision.  Current statute allows permit holders to carry on the capitol complex as long as permit holders “notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety, as appropriate.”  This legislation would update and clarify the statute to provide that application for a permit constitutes “notification,” as required.  (House File 372/Senate File 953)
• Provide a language change to help resolve carry permit reciprocity issues.  (House File 305/Senate File 328)
• Legalize ownership and possession of firearm sound suppressors.  Currently illegal to own under Minnesota law, suppressors are legal to own under federal law and in 39 other states. (House File 1434/Senate File 1435)

Thank you to those legislators who voted in favor of these NRA-supported provisions. 

Special thanks go out to Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and Chairman of Senate Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance, Tony Cornish for their dedication to your rights this session.

Please remember to thank the bill sponsors of the original provisions included in the omnibus bill!