SF 1033

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 08/31/2015 02:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; modifying penalty for certain firearms possession;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.041.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, 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 lead shot
or 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).

new text begin (c) A first violation of paragraph (a) is punishable by a warning.
new text end