SF4847
State or local governments owned or controlled buildings firearm prohibition provision and criminal penalties establishment provision
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: HF4745
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
The bill tightens public safety rules by prohibiting firearm possession inside buildings owned or controlled by state or local governments and by creating felony penalties for violations. It adds a new subdivision to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.66.
Main Provisions
- New subdivision 1i: Felony possession in state or local government buildings.
- A person who possesses a firearm within a building owned by the state or a local government, or within a portion of a building leased or otherwise controlled by the state or local government and used for government administration, is guilty of a felony.
- Penalty: imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Exceptions:
- The subdivision does not apply to people who are otherwise prohibited or restricted by law from possessing a firearm.
- It does not apply to licensed peace officers or military personnel performing official duties.
- It does not apply to a person who has written permission to possess a firearm within the building from the person who has general control and supervision over the building or space.
- The subdivision does not apply to locations described in subdivisions 1d or 1g (refer to other parts of the statute for those definitions).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Creates a new felony offense specifically for possessing a firearm in state or local government buildings or in spaces used for government administration.
- Establishes penalties of up to five years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines for violations.
- Adds clear exemptions for certain individuals (license holders, peace officers, military personnel on duty, and those with written permission).
- References that some locations are exempt based on other subdivisions in the statute.
Practical Effects
- Government buildings and spaces used for administration become prohibited areas for firearm possession, carrying potential felony charges for violators.
- People with proper authorization or who are exempt (e.g., law enforcement, military on duty) can carry firearms in these spaces only if allowed by the specified exemptions.
- Enforcement will depend on who controls and supervises the building and how the new rules interact with other parts of the statute.
Relevant Terms
- firearm
- building owned by the state
- local government
- portion of a building leased or controlled by government
- government administration
- felony
- imprisonment
- fine
- licensed peace officers
- military personnel
- official duties
- written permission
- general control and supervision
- subdivision 1i
- subdivisions 1d and 1g
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 25, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Adds Subd. 1i to §609.66 establishing felony for firearm possession in specified government buildings.",
"Specifies penalties: imprisonment up to five years or fine up to $10,000, or both.",
"Contains exceptions for licensed peace officers and military personnel performing official duties and for individuals with written permission from the building's general control authority.",
"Excludes locations described in subdivisions 1d and 1g."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds a new Subd. 1i to Minnesota Statutes, §609.66, prohibiting possession of a firearm within buildings owned or controlled by the state or local government and used for government administration, and making such possession a felony with penalties up to five years' imprisonment or a fine up to $10,000 (or both). The subdivision includes exceptions for licensed peace officers, military personnel performing official duties, and individuals with written permission from the building's general supervisor; it also excludes locations described in subdivisions 1d or 1g.",
"modified": [
"Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 609.66 by adding Subd. 1i."
]
},
"citation": "609.66",
"subdivision": "Subd. 1i"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee