SF 2825

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/27/2024 09:13am

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; authorizing local governmental units to prohibit or restrict
the possession of dangerous weapons, ammunition, or explosives in local
government-owned or leased buildings and land; amending Minnesota Statutes
2022, section 609.66, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.66, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1i. new text end

new text begin Misdemeanor; possession on county, city, or town property. new text end

new text begin (a)
Notwithstanding sections 624.714, subdivision 23, and 624.717, the elected governing body
of a local governmental unit may prohibit or restrict a person from possessing a dangerous
weapon, ammunition, or explosives within a building or on land owned or leased by the
local governmental unit, except as provided under subdivision 1g. Unless a person is
otherwise prohibited or restricted by other law to possess a dangerous weapon, ammunition,
or explosives, this subdivision does not apply to:
new text end

new text begin (1) licensed peace officers or military personnel who are performing official duties; or
new text end

new text begin (2) persons who possess dangerous weapons within a building or on land owned or
leased by a local governmental unit with the express consent of the unit's chief law
enforcement officer or governing body.
new text end

new text begin (b) A person who possesses a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives within a
building or on land owned or leased by a local governmental unit that has prohibited or
restricted possession under paragraph (a) is guilty of a misdemeanor. Nothing in this section
limits the power of the state to punish any person for any conduct which constitutes a crime
under any other statute.
new text end

new text begin (c) Signs prohibiting or restricting dangerous weapons, ammunition, and explosives
must be posted on a building or land owned or leased by a local governmental unit. The
sign must be conspicuous and prominently posted on the building or land and contain the
following language: "(INDICATE IDENTITY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL
UNIT) BANS GUNS (INDICATE IN THESE PREMISES OR ON THIS LAND."
new text end

new text begin (d) For the purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "conspicuous" means lettering in black arial typeface at least two inches in height
against a bright contrasting background that is at least 187 square inches in area;
new text end

new text begin (2) "local governmental unit" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, or
town; and
new text end

new text begin (3) "prominently" means a sign is readily visible and:
new text end

new text begin (i) if placed on a building, is placed within four feet laterally of each entrance, with the
bottom of the sign at a height of four to six feet above the floor or ground if placed outside
the building; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) if placed on land, is placed at each roadway entry to the land and two signs placed
within land less than three acres, three signs within land at least three acres and less than
ten acres, and two additional signs for each additional ten acres of land greater than the first
ten acres.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2023, and applies to crimes
committed on or after that date.
new text end