HF 4254

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/28/2024 06:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring loaded firearms be stored in locations where
persons prohibited from possessing firearms cannot access the firearms; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.666, subdivisions 1, 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following words have the
meanings given.

(a) "Firearm" means a device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled
a projectile by the force of any explosion or force of combustion.

(b) "Child" means a person under the age of 18 years.

(c) "Loaded" means the firearm has ammunition in the chamber or magazine, if the
magazine is in the firearm deleted text begin , unless the firearm is incapable of being fired by a child who is
likely to gain access to the firearm deleted text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.666, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Access to firearms.

A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who negligently
stores or leaves a loaded firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should
know, that a child new text begin or a person prohibited from possessing firearms under section 624.713,
subdivision 1, new text end is likely to gain access, unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm
against access by the child new text begin or the person prohibited from possessing firearms new text end .