SF76 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Clarifying, codifying, and extending Minnesota's self-defense laws and modifying self defense provisions
Related bill: HF283
AI Generated Summary
Senate Bill SF No. 76 proposes changes to Minnesota's self-defense laws by clarifying and extending the rights individuals have to defend themselves and their homes. The bill eliminates the duty to retreat in self-defense situations outside the home, expands the definition of what constitutes one’s dwelling (including attached structures and vehicles), and creates legal presumptions favoring the defender in instances where someone enters or attempts to enter their dwelling or occupied vehicle by stealth or force.
Key points of the bill include: 1. Justifiable Use of Deadly Force: Individuals are authorized to use deadly force if they believe it is necessary to prevent a felony in their dwelling or to protect themselves or others from substantial or great bodily harm or death. 2. Expanded Definition of Dwelling: This includes any type of permanent or temporary residence, such as motor homes or tents, and their immediate surroundings. 3. Legal Presumptions for Defenders: If someone unlawfully enters or tries to enter your dwelling or vehicle, it is presumed you have a reasonable belief of a threat, legitimizing the use of force in defense. 4. No Duty to Retreat: Individuals are not required to retreat when threatened and can use necessary force, including deadly force, to defend themselves. 5. Protection from Prosecution: Those who use force in self-defense under these circumstances are to be granted immunity from prosecution.
Overall, this bill seeks to strengthen the rights of Minnesotans to protect themselves and their property, by defining more situations where defensive force, including deadly force, is legally justified.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| January 15, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety |
| January 22, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Authors added | |
| January 26, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines several terms related to the use of force, such as 'deadly force', 'dwelling', 'forcible felony', and 'vehicle'.",
"Establishes presumptions of reasonable belief of imminent threat when defensive action is taken against unlawful entry or removal from a dwelling or vehicle."
],
"removed": [
"Eliminates the common law duty to retreat in cases of self-defense outside the home."
],
"summary": "This bill modifies the law on justifiable taking of life and use of deadly force in defense of home and person under section 609.065.",
"modified": [
"Expands the boundaries of dwelling for purposes of self-defense to include attachments and vehicles.",
"Clarifies and codifies circumstances and conditions under which the use of deadly force is justified."
]
},
"citation": "609.065"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Added to clarify the state's burden in disproving claims of justified use of force in criminal trials."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides context for the justifiable use of force specifically related to self-defense, referenced in the discussion of the burden of proof.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.06"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides context about protective orders that could affect the legality of an individual's residence or entry rights."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as part of the definition of 'court order' in relation to orders for protection and restraining orders.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "518B.01"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specifies the type of court orders that define lawful or unlawful residence concerning defensive actions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced within the definition of 'court order' concerning restraining orders.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.748"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Helps determine situations where defensive actions may not be justified based on existing no contact orders."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Related to no contact orders, referenced in defining 'court order'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "629.75"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Lists specific crimes constituting a forcible felony as part of the context for justified use of force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the definitions related to 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.185"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Helps define crimes that warrant the use of force or deadly force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced under the definition of 'forcible felony' concerning second-degree murder.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.19"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Included in the list of offenses considered forcible felonies where defensive force may be applicable."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in the context of 'forcible felony' related to manslaughter.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.20"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Part of the criteria defining serious crimes where defensive actions could be justified."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for defining 'forcible felony' in terms of first-degree assault.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.221"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Contributes to the list of serious crimes justifying potential use of force in self-defense scenarios."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced within the 'forcible felony' definition related to assault in the second degree.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.222"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Used to enumerate the types of assaults considered under justifiable defensive force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Related to the definition of 'forcible felony' regarding third-degree assault.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.223"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Helps define the nature of crimes considered serious enough for justified defensive action."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Mentioned under 'forcible felony' definition, related to robbery provisions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.24"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Part of the statute defining serious threats warranting defensive force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included in 'forcible felony' referencing robbery in the second degree.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.245"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Included as a crime justifying defensive actions."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Discussed in relation to kidnapping within the context of 'forcible felony'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.25"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Identifies a serious crime as part of the reasoning for justified use of defensive force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced under 'forcible felony' in relation to criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.342"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides context for when defensive force may be warranted against such crimes."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced under 'forcible felony' regarding second-degree criminal sexual conduct.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.343"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Used as part of determining when justified defensive force can be used."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Included in 'forcible felony' concerning arson in the first degree.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.561"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Helps define burglary offenses as part of justifiable scenarios for defensive action."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for definitions under 'forcible felony', related to burglary in various degrees.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.582"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishes clarity on legal definitions relevant to justifiable use of force."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for definitions; provides terms such as 'great bodily harm' and 'substantial bodily harm'.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.02"
}
]