Bill > HF893

This bill comprehensively reforms Minnesota's law on self-defense and defense of home, expanding and clarifying when individuals can legally use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves and their property. The legislation eliminates the common law "duty to retreat" and creates broad legal protections for individuals defending themselves, their dwelling, or another person. Key provisions include defining terms like "deadly force," "dwelling," and "forcible felony," and establishing specific circumstances where the use of deadly force is legally justified, such as resisting a felony in one's home or preventing an imminent threat of substantial or great bodily harm. The bill creates a legal presumption that individuals using force against someone unlawfully entering their dwelling or vehicle have a reasonable belief of threat, with some exceptions for law enforcement or lawful residents. Additionally, the law provides immunity from criminal prosecution for individuals using force in accordance with these provisions and places the burden of proof on the state to demonstrate that a defendant's actions were not justifiable in self-defense scenarios. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and will apply to uses of deadly force occurring on or after that date.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0893&ssn=0&y=2025