HF2449

HF2449 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Semiautomatic military-style assault weapon sale or transfer prohibited, buyback program authorized for semiautomatic military-style assault weapons, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF1596

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to enhance public safety by prohibiting the sale or transfer of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons in Minnesota. It aims to reduce the prevalence of these types of weapons and offers a system for the government to buy them back from current owners.

Main Provisions

Definition of Assault Weapons: The bill details a specific set of firearms classified as semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. This includes adjustments to existing definitions under Minnesota law to encompass a variety of rifle, pistol, and shotgun types, focusing on features like detachable magazines, pistol grips, and folding stocks.
Transfer Ban: It is illegal for any person to transfer these classified firearms within Minnesota. The term "transfer" includes sales, gifts, loans, or any form of delivery to another person.
Exceptions: The transfer ban does not apply in certain situations, such as within government or law enforcement agencies, or to federal military branches for official use.
Penalties: Violating the transfer ban is a felony, with penalties including up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Buyback Program: The bill authorizes the establishment of a program where the government may purchase semiautomatic military-style assault weapons from citizens.

Significant Changes

The bill amends existing statutes to introduce a broader definition of what constitutes a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon and tightens restrictions on their transfer.
It introduces penalties for the illegal transfer of these firearms and establishes a framework for a firearms buyback program, which is a new provision aiming to reduce the number of these weapons in circulation.

Relevant Terms

semiautomatic military-style assault weapon, transfer ban, firearm buyback program, felony penalty, assault weapon features, law enforcement exceptions, public safety enhancement.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Public Safety Finance and Policy
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 23, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Additional specific models of firearms have been listed.",
        "Clarifications on features that categorize a weapon as a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon have been added."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the definition of a semiautomatic military-style assault weapon under section 624.712 subdivision 7.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.712 subdivision 7"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references the existing legal definition of firearms recognized as suitable for sporting under federal law.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "United States Code title 18 section 925"
  }
]