SF846

SF846 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Right to carry without a permit provision

Related bill: HF636

AI Generated Summary

Senate SF No 846, introduced by Senators Drazkowski and Wesenberg, proposes changes to Minnesota's laws concerning the carrying of firearms. Here are the key points:

Elimination of Permit Requirement: The bill proposes that individuals, who are not otherwise prohibited by law, will be able to carry firearms in public without a permit. This includes cars, snowmobiles, boats, and on their person in public spaces.
Definition of Public Place: The term 'public place' refers to government-controlled areas and privately owned spaces open to the public, excluding private residences, business premises owned or managed by the firearm carrier, and places designated for firearm activities like hunting or shooting.
Optional Permit to Carry: Although not required, individuals may still apply for a permit to carry a pistol. Applications would be processed by the county sheriff or by a police chief designated by the sheriff.
Carry Permit Conditions: To obtain a permit, individuals must fulfill several conditions including being over 21, undergoing safety training, and not being prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
Data and Monitoring: The bill mandates maintaining a database of persons with optional carry permits and requires annual reporting on permits applied for, issued, and denied, as well as crime data related to permit holders.
Repeal of Certain Statutes: The proposal also suggests the repeal of several statutes including those requiring a permit to carry and display of permit upon demand by a peace officer.

This legislative bill, if passed, would significantly liberalize the rules around carrying firearms in Minnesota, emphasizing the responsibility of individuals while reducing permit requirements.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
January 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
January 29, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
January 29, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Judiciary and Public Safety
February 05, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Further clarifies application process for nonresidents seeking an optional permit to carry a pistol."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 171.01, subdivision 42, which defines nonresidents in relation to the application process for optional permits to carry a pistol in Minnesota.",
      "modified": [
        "Provides authority to issue permits to nonresidents through any sheriff."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "171.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 42"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Directly added to clarify disqualifications for a pistol carrying permit."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 518B.01, subdivision 14, concerning the prohibition of possessing a firearm.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that receiving a permit requires not being prohibited under section 518B.01, subdivision 14."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "518B.01",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification added distinguishing legal requirements concerning assault convictions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 609.224, subdivision 3, concerning the prohibition of possessing a firearm.",
      "modified": [
        "Contains conditions where certain assault convictions impact carrying permit's issuance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.224",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Yet another criteria included affecting eligibility related to domestic assault."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 609.2242, subdivision 3, concerning the prohibition of possessing a firearm.",
      "modified": [
        "Further segregates specific criteria under which domestic assault charges could affect permit approval."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.2242",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional context for understanding the intersections with stalking convictions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 609.749, subdivision 8, regarding harassment and stalking convictions barring firearm possession.",
      "modified": [
        "Expounds legal contexts under which harassment and stalking relate to ineligibility for permit approval."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "609.749",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 8"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Definitions and non-eligibility markers further bracketed with this law."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 624.713 concerning individuals ineligible to possess a firearm.",
      "modified": [
        "Reiterations of broad scenarios disallowing firearm possession, impacting permit approvals."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "624.713",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Encapsulation ensures proper judgements made referring to statutory disqualification provisions."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 624.719 related to ineligibilities for firearm possession.",
      "modified": [
        "Draw explicit connections on the limitations for issuance related to possession legalities."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "624.719",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clearer demarcation for legal interpretative consistency around arrest processes and possession rights."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 629.715, subdivision 2, dealing with situations impacting firearm possession rights.",
      "modified": [
        "Bridge gaps between interpretative context and legal impacts around possession rights."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "629.715",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provides details on legal orders standing against firearm possession affecting permit consideration."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 629.72, subdivision 2, focusing on orders prohibiting firearm possession.",
      "modified": [
        "Contextualizes court orders prohibiting firearm possession that impact eligibility."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "629.72",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Relates to eligibility disqualifications for carry permit issuance."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 299C.091 regarding the criminal gang investigative data system.",
      "modified": [
        "Expositions on exclusion criteria emphasizing presence in criminal data systems."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "299C.091",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Added to ensure compliance with federal privacy regulations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references Code of Federal Regulations Title 42, sections 2.31 to 2.35 about consent to disclose alcohol and drug abuse patient records.",
      "modified": [
        "Ensures legal compliance accentuating federal regulations associated with privacy."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "42 CFR 2",
    "subdivision": "sections 2.31 to 2.35"
  }
]