SF2525

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to change the regulations regarding the types of firearms that can be used during the deer hunting season in Minnesota. Specifically, it aims to eliminate restrictions on the use of shotguns and allow all legal firearms to be used statewide for deer hunting.

Main Provisions

• Legal Firearms Use: The bill allows hunters to use all legal firearms during the regular firearms deer season throughout the entire state of Minnesota. This includes rifles, which were previously restricted in certain areas.

• Repeal of Shotgun Zone: The bill repeals the specific regulations that defined shotgun-only use areas. These areas previously restricted hunters to using shotguns, muzzleloading long guns, and handguns for deer hunting during the regular firearms season.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Elimination of Shotgun Zone: By repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 97B.318, which set boundaries for shotgun-only areas, the bill allows the use of rifles and other legal firearms in areas that were previously shotgun zones.

• Statewide Uniformity in Gun Use for Deer Hunting: All regions in Minnesota will now have the same firearm regulations for deer hunting, thereby removing the restrictions that limited certain types of firearms to particular areas of the state.

Relevant Terms

• Firearms
• Shotgun zone
• Deer hunting
• Rifles
• Muzzleloading guns
• Handguns