SF76 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Clarifying, codifying, and extending Minnesota's self-defense laws and modifying self defense provisions
Related bill: HF283
AI Generated Summary
Senate Bill SF No. 76 proposes changes to Minnesota's self-defense laws by clarifying and extending the rights individuals have to defend themselves and their homes. The bill eliminates the duty to retreat in self-defense situations outside the home, expands the definition of what constitutes one’s dwelling (including attached structures and vehicles), and creates legal presumptions favoring the defender in instances where someone enters or attempts to enter their dwelling or occupied vehicle by stealth or force.
Key points of the bill include: 1. Justifiable Use of Deadly Force: Individuals are authorized to use deadly force if they believe it is necessary to prevent a felony in their dwelling or to protect themselves or others from substantial or great bodily harm or death. 2. Expanded Definition of Dwelling: This includes any type of permanent or temporary residence, such as motor homes or tents, and their immediate surroundings. 3. Legal Presumptions for Defenders: If someone unlawfully enters or tries to enter your dwelling or vehicle, it is presumed you have a reasonable belief of a threat, legitimizing the use of force in defense. 4. No Duty to Retreat: Individuals are not required to retreat when threatened and can use necessary force, including deadly force, to defend themselves. 5. Protection from Prosecution: Those who use force in self-defense under these circumstances are to be granted immunity from prosecution.
Overall, this bill seeks to strengthen the rights of Minnesotans to protect themselves and their property, by defining more situations where defensive force, including deadly force, is legally justified.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| January 15, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| January 15, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
| January 15, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
| January 22, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Authors added | |
| January 22, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Authors added | |
| January 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| January 26, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"A presumption for justification of deadly force in situations involving unlawful entry into a dwelling."
],
"removed": [
"Eliminates the common law duty to retreat."
],
"summary": "This bill modifies the conditions under which the use of deadly force is justified in defense of a home or person under section 609.065.",
"modified": [
"Expands definition of 'dwelling' and clarifies circumstances for use of deadly force."
]
},
"citation": "609.065",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References existing legal allowances for justifiable taking of life in resisting or preventing offenses.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies burden of proof involving justifiable use of force in criminal trials."
]
},
"citation": "609.06",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in context of defining 'court order' under section 609.065.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "518B.01",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in context of defining 'restraining order' under section 609.065.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.748",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in context of defining 'no contact order' under section 609.065.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "629.75",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.185",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.19",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.20",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.221",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.222",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.223",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.24",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.245",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.25",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.342",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.343",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.561",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.582",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides a definition for 'great bodily harm'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides a definition for 'substantial bodily harm'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 7a"
}
]