HF 1356

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/20/2017 04:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; prohibiting use of ammunition containing lead during
the regular firearms season; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 97B.031,
by adding a subdivision; 97B.041.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.031, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Lead ammunition prohibited. new text end

new text begin A person may not use or possess ammunition
containing lead when taking deer during the regular firearms season.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 97B.041, is amended to read:

97B.041 POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION RESTRICTED IN
DEER ZONES.

(a) A person may not possess a firearm or ammunition outdoors during the period
beginning the fifth day before the open firearms season and ending the second day after the
close of the season within an area where deer may be taken by a firearm, except:

(1) during the open season and in an area where big game may be taken, a firearm and
ammunition authorized for taking big game in that area may be used to take big game in
that area if the person has a valid big-game license in possession;

(2) an unloaded firearm that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle;

(3) a shotgun and shells containing No. 4 buckshot or smaller diameter deleted text begin lead shot or deleted text end steel
shot;

(4) a handgun or rifle capable of firing only rimfire cartridges of .17 and .22 caliber,
including .22 magnum caliber cartridges;

(5) handguns possessed by a person authorized to carry a handgun under sections 624.714
and 624.715 for the purpose authorized; and

(6) on a target range operated under a permit from the commissioner.

(b) This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer
may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzle-loading firearms lawful for the
taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by
muzzleloader during the muzzleloader season. While muzzleloader hunting, a person with
a valid license to take deer by muzzleloader may not possess a firearm other than:

(1) a muzzleloader that is legal for taking deer under section 97B.031, subdivision 1;
and

(2) a firearm as described in paragraph (a), clauses (2) to (5).

(c) A first violation of paragraph (a) is punishable by a warning.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2019.
new text end