1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying restrictions on
1.3 	firearms used in hunting; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.4 	2004, section 97B.031, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 97B.031,
1.7 	subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.Firearms and ammunition that may be used
1.9 	to take big game.  (a) A person may take big game with a firearm
1.10 	only if:
1.11 	(1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at
1.12 	least .23 inches;
1.13 	(2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile
1.14 	ammunition;
1.15 	(3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .23 inches
1.16 	and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;
1.17 	(4) the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285
1.18 	inches;
1.19 	(5) the muzzle-loader used is incapable of being loaded at
1.20 	the breech;
1.21 	(6) the smooth-bore muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at
1.22 	least .45 inches; and
1.23 	(7) the rifled muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least
1.24 	.40 inches.
1.25 	(b) A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1
2.1 	carbine cartridge.
2.2 	(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (4), a person may
2.3 	take big game with a ten millimeter cartridge that is at least
2.4 	0.95 inches in length, a .45 Winchester Magnum cartridge, or a
2.5 	.50 A. E. (Action Express) handgun cartridge.