1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; removing bow and gun case requirements;amending 
1.3 	Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 97B.035, subdivision 2; 97B.041; 97B.045, 
1.4 	subdivision 1; 97B.051.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.035, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 2.Possession of crossbows. A person may not possess a crossbow outdoors 
1.8 	or in a motor vehicle during the open season for any game, unless the crossbow is unstrung, 
1.9 	and in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehiclenot armed with a bolt or arrow.

1.10 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.041, is amended to read:
1.11 	97B.041 POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RESTRICTED 
1.12 	IN DEER ZONES.
1.13 	A person may not possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period 
1.14 	beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after 
1.15 	the close of the season within an area where deer may be taken by a firearm, except:
1.16 	(1) during the open season and in an area where big game may be taken, a firearm 
1.17 	and ammunition authorized for taking big game in that area may be used to take big game 
1.18 	in that area if the person has a valid big game license in possession;
1.19 	(2) an unloaded firearm that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle;
1.20 	(3) a shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter lead shot 
1.21 	or steel shot;
1.22 	(4) a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 and .22 caliber, 
1.23 	including .22 magnum caliber cartridges;
2.1 	(5) handguns possessed by a person authorized to carry a handgun under sections 
2.2 	624.714 and 624.715 for the purpose authorized; and 
2.3 	(6) on a target range operated under a permit from the commissioner.
2.4 	This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer 
2.5 	may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzleloading firearms lawful for the 
2.6 	taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by 
2.7 	muzzleloader during that season.

2.8 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.045, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.9 		Subdivision 1.Restrictions. (a) A person may not transport a firearm in a motor 
2.10 	vehicle unless the firearm is:
2.11 	(1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case 
2.12 	fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, 
2.13 	and without any portion of the firearm exposed;
2.14 	(2) unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle; or
2.15 	(3) a handgun carried in compliance with sections 624.714 and 624.715.  
2.16 	(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a person may transport in a motor vehicle 
2.17 	an unloaded, uncased firearm, excluding a pistol as defined under section 624.712, 
2.18 	subdivision 2, except when:
2.19 	(1) within an area where the discharge of a firearm has been prohibited under section 
2.20 	471.633;
2.21 	(2) within the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city with a population 
2.22 	of 2,500 or more;
2.23 	(3) on school grounds as regulated under section 609.66, subdivision 1d; or
2.24 	(4) otherwise restricted under section 97A.091, 97B.081, or 97B.086.

2.25 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.051, is amended to read:
2.26 	97B.051 TRANSPORTATION OF ARCHERY BOWS.
2.27 	Except as specified under section 97B.055, subdivision 2, a person may not transport 
2.28 	an archery bow in a motor vehicle unless the bow is: not armed with a bolt or arrow.
2.29 	(1) unstrung;
2.30 	(2) completely contained in a case; or
2.31 	(3) in the closed trunk or rear-most enclosed portion of a motor vehicle that is not 
2.32 	accessible from the passenger compartment.