SF4466

Purpose

Explain and clarify how firearms may be carried on campuses and on property of public postsecondary institutions in Minnesota. The bill aims to let certain groups on campus be subject to specific policies about carrying firearms while on campus or related property, while also protecting the right to carry in parking areas.

Main Provisions

• Employers (whether public or private) may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by employees while they are working.
• Public postsecondary institutions (regulated under certain chapters) may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by students while on the institution’s property, with academic sanctions possible for violations.
• Public postsecondary institutions may set policies that restrict the carry or possession of firearms by visitors while on the institution’s property. If a visitor carries a firearm in violation, the institution may order the person to leave the premises; if the person refuses to leave, they may be charged with a petty misdemeanor.
• For violations of these policies, a firearm carried in violation is not subject to forfeiture under the relevant forfeiture statute.
• Notably, an employer or a postsecondary institution may not prohibit the lawful carry or possession of firearms in a parking facility or parking area.

Significance and Changes to Law

• Creates a framework for campus employers and institutions to regulate firearms for employees, students, and visitors, with clear enforcement options (e.g., orders to leave, petty misdemeanor penalties for non-compliance).
• Establishes penalties and enforcement while maintaining a specific exception for parking facilities, where lawful carry/possession cannot be prohibited.
• Uses existing legal references (e.g., Notwithstanding provisions) to align campus firearm policies with broader Minnesota law, and distinguishes between sanctions for violations (civil or academic) and criminal penalties (petty misdemeanor for leaving after an order).

Practical Impact

• On-campus environments: Employers and public colleges/universities can adopt or enforce policies restricting firearms among staff, students, and visitors.
• Enforcement: Violations can lead to removal from campus and potential petty misdemeanor charges for failing to comply; fines are capped for a first offense.
• Parking areas: People may lawfully carry in parking facilities, and campuses cannot ban lawful carry in those specific areas, even as other campus areas are restricted.

Notable Terms in Context

• firearms, carry, possession
• employees, students, visitors
• public postsecondary institutions (regulated under chapters 136F or 137)
• campus property, institution property
• parking facility, parking area
• petty misdemeanor
• academic sanctions, civil sanctions
• forfeiture (not applicable to violations here)
• Notwithstanding (legal mechanism used in the statute)

Relevant Terms - firearms - carry - possession - campus - employee - student - visitor - public postsecondary institution - parking facility - parking area - petty misdemeanor - academic sanctions - civil sanctions - forfeiture - Notwithstanding - Minnesota Statutes 624.714 subdivision 18