HF3434

Purpose

• The bill aims to ban the possession of semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Minnesota, and to establish criminal penalties for violations. It would add and reorganize several Minnesota Statutes to implement these bans and definitions.

Key definitions and terms (what counts as what)

• Semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon (SMSAW): A broad category defined by a combination of specific firearm models and certain features. It includes:
  • A list of specific firearms (examples include AK-47 type rifles, AR-15 type rifles, Uzi, MAC10/MAC11, TEC9, Steyr AUG, and others) and any firearm that is a redesigned/renamed version or shares the same action design as one of the listed models.
  • Any firearm that has added features such as a pistol grip or thumbhole stock, folding or telescoping stock, a shroud, flash suppressor, or other features that make it easier to use with a nontrigger hand.
  • Any semiautomatic pistol or rifle with a detachable magazine that has features like protruding grips, folding/ Telescoping/Thumbhole stocks, shrouds around the barrel, capacity to accept a detachable magazine outside of the pistol grip, or threaded barrels capable of accepting attachments like a silencer.
  • A semiautomatic shotgun with particular features (pistol grip, folding stock, etc.), or a shotgun with a revolving cylinder or conversion kit that can assemble into an SMSAW.
  • Exclusions: If a firearm has been permanently made inoperable, it is not banned under this SMSAW definition.
• Large-capacity magazine (LCM): A device that can hold more than ten rounds of ammunition, or a conversion kit/parts that would allow assembling such a device. Exclusions include:
  • A feeding device permanently altered to hold 10 rounds or fewer.
  • A .22-caliber tube feeding device.
  • A tubular magazine in lever-action firearms.

Main provisions (how the bill would work in practice)

• Prohibition on possession:
  • Minnesota would prohibit possession of SMSAWs and large-capacity magazines. Penalties would be provided for violations (specific penalties are not included in the excerpt provided).
• Definitions and scope:
  • The bill adds new subdivisions (codes) to Minnesota Statutes to codify the SMSAW and LCM definitions and related rules (including 624.7131, 624.7132, 624.7134, 624.7141, 624.7181, etc.).
  • It clarifies that certain weapons already banned for importation by federal law (under ATF rules as of July 1989) remain covered where relevant, and explains that some firearms may be exempt if they meet the sporting-purposes standard.
  • It recognizes a sporting-purposes exemption for firearms generally recognized as suitable for sporting purposes under 18 U.S.C. 925(d) and related regulations.
  • It includes provisions about firearms that share action designs or are substantially similar to those listed, including changes in naming, design tweaks, or attachments (e.g., folding stocks, magazines, bayonet mounts).
• Relation to existing law:
  • The bill would amend several sections of Minnesota Statutes (notably 624.712 and related subsections) to add SMSAW and LCM prohibitions, definitions, and enforcement provisions.
  • It would also address conversion kits and parts that enable assembling an SMSAW, placing them under same possession restrictions.
• Import and licensing references:
  • It references federal import restrictions and licensing arrangements to draw connections between state prohibitions and federal standards.

Notable changes to existing law

• Creation of a state-wide ban on possessing semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
• Introduction of detailed, model-based and feature-based definitions for SMSAWs, effectively expanding beyond a single model list to cover similarly designed firearms and features.
• Establishment of a formal definition for large-capacity magazines and related parts or conversion kits.
• Alignment with federal sporting-pages exemptions, clarifying when a firearm might not be considered an SMSAW if it is recognized as suitable for sporting purposes.
• Inclusion of provisions about possession of conversion kits and parts that could enable assembly of an SMSAW.
• Federal-law references to help interpret certain exemptions and designations.

Impact and practical implications

• For Minnesota residents, possession of SMSAWs or large-capacity magazines as defined would be unlawful, subject to criminal penalties.
• Owners with firearms that are on the SMSAW list or meet the feature criteria could face enforcement actions if they possess them.
• Some firearms or configurations that are recognized as sporting-purpose firearms under federal law may be exempt from the SMSAW ban.
• The bill would broaden the scope of what is considered an SMSAW beyond the explicit model list to include variants and features.

Relevant terms - semiautomatic militarystyle assault weapon - SMSAW - large-capacity magazine (LCM) - detachable magazine - pistol grip - thumbhole stock - folding stock - telescoping stock - shroud - flash suppressor - threaded barrel - conversion kit - more than ten rounds - sporting purposes (18 U.S.C. 925(d)) - importation ban (ATF July 1989) - Minnesota Statutes 624.712 and related subdivisions (e.g., 624.7131, 624.7132, 624.7134, 624.7141, 624.7181)