Today, the Minnesota House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee amended House File 849, an omnibus policy and finance bill to include multiple pro-gun provisions that benefit law-abiding gun owners. As amended, HF 849 will now contain the following provisions, among other things:
- 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.
- Align Minnesota with more than 40 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.
- Modify the Capitol Carry Notification provision. Current statute allows permit holders to carry on the capitol complex as long as the permit holder “so notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety, as appropriate.” This legislation would update and clarify the statute to provide that application for permit constitutes “notification,” as required.
- Provide a language change that would resolve reciprocity issues and increase Minnesota recognition of out of state permits.
HF 849 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, and a hearing is expected next week. Please use the contact information provided below to contact members of the House Ways and Means Committee today and urge them to vote in support of this omnibus bill which contains pro-gun provisions.
On Thursday, the following standalone pro-gun bills will be heard on the House floor. As reported here and here, these measures previously passed with strong support out of committee last month:
House File 722, authored by Representatives Jim Newberger (R-15B), Eric Lucero (R-30B) and Josh Heintzeman (R-10A), would 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. This important language was passed overwhelmingly by the House and Senate in 2012, but was part of a bill which Governor Dayton vetoed.
House File 830, authored by state Representatives Eric Lucero (R-30B), Tony Cornish (R-23B) and David Dill (DFL-03A), would align Minnesota with more than 40 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. Currently, Minnesota statute affirms that residents may purchase long guns in Minnesota and bordering states, but remains silent on whether or not residents might purchase long guns in non-contiguous states.
House File 1434, authored by state Representatives Tony Cornish (R-23B), Mark Anderson (R-09A), and David Dill (DFL-03A), would legalize ownership and possession of firearm sound suppressors. For more information on this legislation and the benefits of shooting suppressed, click here.
House File 372, authored by state Representatives Jim Nash (R-47), David Dill (DFL-03A) and Tim Miller (R-17A), modifies the Capitol Carry Notification provision. Current statute allows permit holders to carry on the capitol complex as long as the permit holder “so notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety, as appropriate.” This legislation would update and clarify the statute to provide that application for permit constitutes “notification,” as required.
Please contact your state Representative and politely request they vote in support of HF 722, HF 830, HF 1434 and HF 372 when they come before them on Thursday.
Minnesota House Ways and Means Committee:
Representative Jim Knoblach (R-14B), Committee Chair
651-296-6612
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Tony Albright (R-55B), Vice Chair
651-296-5185
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL-45A), DFL Lead
651-296-4255
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Sarah Anderson (R-44A)
651-296-5511
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Tony Cornish (R-23B)
651-296-4240
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Greg Davids (R-28B)
651-296-9278
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Matt Dean (R-38B)
651-296-3018
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Bob Dettmer (R-39A)
651-296-4124
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Steve Drazkowski (R-21B)
651-296-2273
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Pat Garofalo (R-58B)
651-296-1069
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Bob Gunther (R-23A)
651-296-3240
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Tom Hackbarth (R-31B)
651-296-2439
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Rod Hamilton (R-22B)
651-296-5373
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Debra Hilstrom (DFL-40B)
651-296-3709
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL-61A)
651-296-9281
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Phyllis Kahn (DFL-60B)
651-296-4257
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Ann Lenczewski (DFL-50B)
651-296-4218
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Tina Liebling (DFL-26A)
651-296-0573
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Jenifer Loon (R-48B)
651-296-7449
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Tim Mahoney (DFL-67A)
651-296-4277
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Denny McNamara (R-54B)
651-296-3135
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Mary Murphy (DFL-03B)
651-296-2676
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Bud Nornes (R-08A)
651-296-4946
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL-28A)
651-296-8637
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-27B)
651-296-4193
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Paul Torkelson (R-16B)
651-296-9303
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Dean Urdahl (R-18A)
651-296-4344
E-mail: [email protected]
Representative Jean Wagenius (DFL-63B)
651-296-4200
E-mail: [email protected]