Bill > HF705

This bill clarifies and expands Minnesota's self-defense laws, specifically addressing the use of deadly force in defense of home and person. The legislation eliminates the common law duty to retreat when defending oneself, introduces comprehensive definitions for key terms like "deadly force," "dwelling," and "forcible felony," and creates legal presumptions that favor individuals using force to protect themselves or their property. The bill establishes that a person can use deadly force when reasonably believing they are preventing a felony in their dwelling, resisting an imminent threat of substantial or great bodily harm, or preventing a forcible felony. Notably, the law creates a presumption that an individual has a reasonable belief in an imminent threat if someone is unlawfully entering their dwelling or occupied vehicle by force or stealth. The bill also provides immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals using force in self-defense and shifts the burden of proof in criminal trials to the state to prove that a defendant's actions were not justifiable. The new law will take effect on August 1, 2025, and applies to uses of deadly force occurring on or after that date, effectively expanding legal protections for individuals defending themselves, their homes, and their vehicles.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0705&ssn=0&y=2025