SF 1225

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:19am

A bill for an act
relating to game and fish; removing bow and gun case requirements; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 97B.035, subdivision 2; 97B.041; 97B.045,
subdivision 1; 97B.051.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.035, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Possession of crossbows.

A person may not possess a crossbow outdoors
or in a motor vehicle during the open season for any game, unless the crossbow is deleted text begin unstrung,
and in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle deleted text end new text begin not armed with a bolt or arrow new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.041, is amended to read:

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

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 deleted text begin that is in a case or in a closed trunk of a motor vehicle deleted text end ;

(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.

This section does not apply during an open firearms season in an area where deer
may be taken only by muzzleloader, except that muzzleloading firearms lawful for the
taking of deer may be possessed only by persons with a valid license to take deer by
muzzleloader during that season.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.045, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Restrictions.

new text begin (a) new text end A person may not transport a firearm in a motor
vehicle unless the firearm is:

(1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case
fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened,
and without any portion of the firearm exposed;

(2) unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle; or

(3) a handgun carried in compliance with sections 624.714 and 624.715.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a person may transport in a motor vehicle
an unloaded, uncased firearm, excluding a pistol as defined under section 624.712,
subdivision 2, except when:
new text end

new text begin (1) within an area where the discharge of a firearm has been prohibited under section
471.633;
new text end

new text begin (2) within the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city with a population
of 2,500 or more;
new text end

new text begin (3) on school grounds as regulated under section 609.66, subdivision 1d; or
new text end

new text begin (4) otherwise restricted under section 97A.091, 97B.081, or 97B.086.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.051, is amended to read:

97B.051 TRANSPORTATION OF ARCHERY BOWS.

Except as specified under section 97B.055, subdivision 2, a person may not transport
an archery bow in a motor vehicle unless the bow is deleted text begin : deleted text end new text begin not armed with a bolt or arrow. new text end

deleted text begin (1) unstrung;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) completely contained in a case; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) in the closed trunk or rear-most enclosed portion of a motor vehicle that is not
accessible from the passenger compartment.
deleted text end