HF4699
Penalties for unlawful possession of firearms increased.
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: SF4910
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- To strengthen penalties for unlawful possession of firearms by people who have been convicted of a crime of violence, with the goal of improving public safety.
Main Provisions
- The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.165 subdivision 1b to state that any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence (as defined in 624.712 subdivision 5) and who ships, transports, possesses, or receives a firearm or ammunition commits a felony.
- The felony carries a potential sentence of imprisonment not more than 15 or 20 years, or a fine of up to $30,000, or both.
- A conviction and sentencing under this section is to bar a conviction and sentencing under section 624.713 subdivision 2 for the same conduct (i.e., no double punishment for the same act).
- The criminal penalty does not apply to a person who has received a relief of disability under 18 U.S.C. § 925 or whose ability to possess firearms and ammunition has been restored under subdivision 1d.
- The bill also references related changes to sections 624.713 and 624.7141, indicating a broader set of amendments to penalties for firearm possession, though the specific details of those sections aren’t included in the excerpt.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces or elevates penalties for unlawful firearm possession by individuals with a violence-related conviction, making it a felony with a potentially lengthy prison term and a substantial fine.
- Adds an explicit mechanism to avoid multiple punishments for the same conduct by related firearm offenses (bar to separate 624.713(2) penalties).
- Maintains a federal/state relief exception (relief of disability under 18 U.S.C. § 925 and restoration under state law) that can shield some offenders from the new penalty.
- Indicates coordination with related firearm statutes (624.713 and 624.7141), suggesting a broader package of changes to firearm-related offenses.
Legislative Status
- The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
Context (Notes)
- The bill uses the term “crime of violence” as defined in 624.712(5). It applies to individuals who possess, transport, or receive firearms or ammunition after such a conviction.
Relevant Terms - crime of violence - firearm - ammunition - felony - imprisonment - fine - relief of disability - 18 U.S.C. § 925 - restoration - 624.712(5) - 609.165 subdivision 1b - 624.713 subdivision 2 - 624.7141 subdivision 1-2 - bar / no double punishment - Public Safety Finance and Policy (committee)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy | |
| March 26, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Imposes a heightened penalty for possession/receipt/transport of firearms by individuals with a qualifying violent-crime conviction.",
"Sets a maximum fine of $30,000 and a potential sentence up to 20 years.",
"Cross-references to section 624.713, subdivision 2, indicating further implications or prohibitions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill creates an enhanced criminal penalty under Minnesota Statutes 2024 for unlawful possession of firearms by a person convicted of a crime of violence, including a potential imprisonment of up to 20 years and a fine up to $30,000, and cross-references to related sections.",
"modified": [
"Penalty structure and related consequences for this specific offense are modified (new maximums and penalties).",
"Adds a cross-reference barring certain other convictions (624.713, subdivision 2) when convicted under this section.",
"Includes a relief-of-disability exception tying to federal law (18 U.S.C. § 925) and restoration provisions."
]
},
"citation": "609.165",
"subdivision": "1b"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cross-reference to 609.165 (subdivision 1b) creating a procedural linkage that can bar a separate conviction under 624.713, subdivision 2."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill states that a conviction and sentencing under section 609.165 shall be construed to bar a conviction and sentencing for a violation of 624.713, subdivision 2, creating a cross-reference effect between these statutes.",
"modified": [
"Consolidates or clarifies that penalties under 609.165 affect potential charges under 624.713, subdivision 2."
]
},
"citation": "624.713",
"subdivision": "2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Amendment to 624.7141(1) as part of the overall penalty-related revisions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.7141, subdivision 1. The exact textual changes are not shown in the excerpt provided.",
"modified": [
"Content of 624.7141(1) is identified as being amended; specific language not included in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "624.7141",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Amendment to 624.7141(2) as part of the overall penalty-related revisions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 624.7141, subdivision 2. The exact textual changes are not shown in the excerpt provided.",
"modified": [
"Content of 624.7141(2) is identified as being amended; specific language not included in the excerpt."
]
},
"citation": "624.7141",
"subdivision": "2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references the definition of 'crime of violence' as defined in section 624.712, subdivision 5, to determine applicability of the enhanced penalties in 609.165.",
"modified": [
"Uses the existing definition of crime of violence from 624.712(5) to frame the offense in 609.165(1b)."
]
},
"citation": "624.712",
"subdivision": "5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Recognizes relief of disability under 18 U.S.C. § 925 as an exception to the new penalties."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Federal law is cited regarding relief of disability from firearm possession, which interacts with the new penalties in 609.165(1b).",
"modified": [
"References federal relief provisions and restoration mechanisms affecting eligibility to possess firearms."
]
},
"citation": "18 U.S.C. § 925",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee