HF3357

HF3357 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Possession of dangerous weapons prohibited in the Capitol complex.

Related bill: SF3631

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

The bill aims to enhance public safety by prohibiting the possession of dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives in the Capitol complex, including courthouses and state buildings within the Capitol Area. It also addresses how data related to the bill is handled by the legislature and clarifies certain carry-permit rules and exemptions.

Main Provisions

Prohibition and scope
- Makes it a felony to possess dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives within any courthouse complex or within any state building in the Capitol Area (as defined in state law).
- The prohibition applies unless a person is otherwise legally prohibited or restricted by other laws to possess a dangerous weapon.
Penalties
- A person who commits this offense may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, or up to a $10,000 fine, or both.
Exceptions and permitted activities
- Licensed peace officers or military personnel performing official duties are generally exempt.
- Individuals who carry pistols under a permit issued under state law (section 624.714) may do so in a courthouse complex if they notify the sheriff or the commissioner of public safety as appropriate.
- People may possess dangerous weapons in a courthouse complex for the purpose of display as demonstrative evidence during testimony, at a trial or hearing, or during an exhibition, provided advance notice and safety guidelines are followed.
- Possession is allowed with the express consent of the county sheriff (in courthouses) or the express consent of the commissioner of public safety (in state buildings).
- Retired peace officers who carry pistols as authorized by federal law (18 U.S.C. 926C) and who work in a primary security function for the Minnesota House of Representatives are included.
Carry-permit details
- For purposes of this section, having a carry permit under §624.714 is treated as notice to the commissioner of public safety, and the permit’s conditions do not override the stated prohibitions except as specified in the exemptions above.
- The rule about carrying in a vehicle or placing/removing a firearm from a vehicle’s trunk or rear area remains applicable to those authorized to carry under §624.714, with the stated exceptions.
Capitol Area and National Guard Armory
- The restrictions cover the Capitol Area and state buildings described in chapter 15B, with an exception for the National Guard Armory.

Data Practices Provisions

The committee handling this bill is subject to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Chapter 13).
The committee may request access to nonpublic data as needed to fulfill its responsibilities under this section, and government entities must provide such data if it is relevant.
Limitations on data access
- The committee must not be given access to data classified under section 13.87 subdivision 2.
- The committee must not gain access to data about persons who provide the notice described in section 609.66 subdivision 1g paragraph b clause 2.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Establishes a new felony offense for possessing dangerous weapons in courthouses and Capitol Area buildings, with penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or up to a $10,000 fine.
Creates a set of specified exceptions and carry-permit-related provisions that clarify when and how individuals may possess weapons in these locations.
Expands and clarifies the scope to include state buildings within the Capitol Area (and specifies exclusions such as the National Guard Armory).
Adds a data-access framework for a legislative committee to review nonpublic data related to the bill, with clear privacy protections and restrictions.

Relevant Terms dangerous weapons, ammunition, explosives, courthouse complex, Capitol Area, state buildings, Capitol Area described in chapter 15B, National Guard Armory, felony possession, imprisonment, five years, fines, exceptions, licensed peace officers, military personnel, official duties, pistol carry, permit under section 624.714, sheriff, commissioner of public safety, demonstrative evidence, advanced notice, safety guidelines, express consent, retired peace officers, United States Code 18 U.S.C. 926C, primary security function, House of Representatives, data practices, Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13, nonpublic data, 13.87 subdivision 2, 609.66 subdivision 1g, data requests, notice.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 17, 2026	House		Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	State Government Finance and Policy
February 19, 2026	House		Action	Authors added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds data access provisions under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (chapter 13) allowing the committee to request nonpublic data defined in 13.02, Subd. 9.",
        "Requires responsive government entities to provide nonpublic data relevant to the committee's responsibilities.",
        "Includes limitations preventing access to data classified under 13.87, Subd. 2 or data on certain persons described in 609.66, Subd. 1g, paragraph b, clause 2."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 299E.04, Subd. 4, to incorporate data practices provisions. It subjects the committee to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (chapter 13) and allows access to nonpublic data defined in section 13.02, Subd. 9 as necessary to fulfill the committee's responsibilities. It requires government entities to provide such data if relevant, and restricts access to data classified under section 13.87, Subd. 2 or data on persons who provide the notice described in section 609.66, Subd. 1g, paragraph b, clause 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "299E.04",
    "subdivision": "Subd. 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishes felony possession in courthouse complexes or Capitol Area (Subd. 1g).",
        "Lists exceptions (e.g., licensed peace officers on official duties, permit holders, display for testimony under safeguards, express consent of the sheriff or commissioner of public safety, etc.).",
        "Permits retired peace officers carrying pistols in buildings in the Capitol Area under 18 U.S.C. § 926C."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill creates a felony possession offense for dangerous weapons in courthouse complexes or Capitol Area, with specified exceptions, and references federal law for retired peace officers carrying pistols.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.66",
    "subdivision": "Subd. 1g"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Cross-reference to data practices and related sections within the amended Subd. 4. This entry highlights the connections to data definitions and classifications in the referenced statutes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "299E.04",
    "subdivision": "Subd. 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill cites 13.02, Subd. 9 to define what constitutes nonpublic data, as part of the data practices access provisions in 299E.04 Subd. 4.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13.02",
    "subdivision": "Subd. 9"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references 13.87, Subd. 2 as a limitation on access to data; specifically, it does not permit access to data classified under 13.87, Subd. 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13.87",
    "subdivision": "Subd. 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill acknowledges Minnesota Statutes Chapter 13 (the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act) as the governing framework for data practices.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Chapter 15B (Capitol Area) for the location-specific restrictions on possession of dangerous weapons, including the Capitol Area and related buildings.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "15B",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill incorporates federal law by authorizing retired peace officers who carry pistols under 18 U.S.C. § 926C to operate within buildings in the Capitol Area with appropriate employment by the House of Representatives.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "18 U.S.C. § 926C",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes 624.714, which governs carrying a pistol with a permit, in the context of exceptions to the new firearm restrictions in courthouse complexes and state buildings.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "624.714",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]