Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to enhance public safety by improving the tracking and reporting of firearms that are recovered or confiscated by law enforcement agencies in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Mandatory Registration for eTrace: All law enforcement agencies in Minnesota are required to register for the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) eTrace system. This system helps in tracing the origins of firearms.
• Collective Data Sharing: Agencies must opt into the collective data sharing feature of eTrace, allowing them to share information about firearms among other law enforcement agencies.
• Firearm Reporting: Whenever firearms are recovered or confiscated, the agency must:
  • Enter the information into the eTrace system as soon as possible.
  • Have the firearm test-fired with the results submitted to the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN).
• Shell Casing Submissions: If a shell casing is recovered or confiscated, the agency must submit the ballistics information to the NIBIN promptly.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new requirement for law enforcement agencies to actively participate in national firearm tracing programs and report detailed ballistic information. It mandates specific protocols for handling recovered or confiscated firearms and shell casings, which aims to better integrate state law enforcement efforts with national systems.

Relevant Terms

• eTrace system
• Firearms tracing
• Ballistics information
• National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN)
• Law enforcement agencies
• Crime scene investigations
• Confiscated firearms