Bill > SF712

This bill establishes a new law allowing individuals to carry a firearm in public without requiring a permit, while still maintaining an optional permit system. The legislation recognizes the Second Amendment right to bear arms and permits any person who is not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a weapon in various settings, including motor vehicles, boats, and on one's person in public places. A "public place" is specifically defined to include government-owned property and privately-owned spaces regularly open to the public, with several notable exceptions such as personal dwellings, businesses, hunting areas, and shooting facilities. The bill allows individuals to apply for an optional carry permit, which would be valid for five years and renewable, maintaining some of the existing permit application processes such as background checks, age requirements (21 years or older), and training verification. The legislation also requires the commissioner of public safety to maintain a database of optional permit holders and report annually to the legislature about permit statistics. Importantly, the bill repeals previous subdivisions of the law that required permits and established penalties for carrying without a permit, effectively making Minnesota a "constitutional carry" state where law-abiding citizens can carry firearms without first obtaining government permission.

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https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0712&ssn=0&y=2025