SF 2387

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 11:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; expanding the permissible purposes for which certain
persons may possess and use firearms silencers; amending Minnesota Statutes
2008, section 609.66, subdivision 1h.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 609.66, subdivision 1h, is amended to read:

Subd. 1h.

Silencers; authorized for law enforcement and wildlife control
purposes.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), licensed peace
officers may use devices designed to silence or muffle the discharge of a firearm for tactical
emergency response operations new text begin and for practice on approved shooting ranges new text end . Tactical
emergency response operations include execution of high risk search and arrest warrants,
incidents of terrorism, hostage rescue, and any other tactical deployments involving high
risk circumstances. The chief law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency
that has the need to use silencing devices must establish and enforce a written policy
governing the use of the devices.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), deleted text begin until July 1, 2011, deleted text end
an enforcement officer, as defined in section 97A.015, subdivision 18, a wildlife area
manager, an employee designated under section 84.0835, or a person acting under contract
with the commissioner of natural resources, at specific times and locations that are
authorized by the commissioner of natural resources may use devices designed to silence
or muffle the discharge of a firearm for wildlife control operations that require stealth.
If the commissioner determines that the use of silencing devices is necessary under this
paragraph, the commissioner must:

(1) establish and enforce a written policy governing the use, possession, and
transportation of the devices;

(2) limit the number of the silencing devices maintained by the Department of
Natural Resources to no more than ten; and

(3) keep direct custody and control of the devices when the devices are not
specifically authorized for use.

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding subdivision 1a, paragraph (a), clause (1), a person who is
employed as the sales representative for a federally licensed firearms manufacturer,
as defined by United States Code, title 18, section 921(a)(10), and Code of Federal
Regulations, title 27, section 478.11, and who is not prohibited by any law or court from
possessing firearms generally, may possess samples of devices designed to silence or
muffle the discharge of a firearm, for the sole purpose of demonstrating such devices on
the premises of a law enforcement agency or at an approved shooting range, for sale to
licensed peace officers and those agencies.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2010.
new text end