1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; removing switch blade knives from the list of prohibited 
1.3 	dangerous weapons;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 609.66, subdivision 
1.4 	1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 609.66, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes. (a) Whoever does any 
1.8 	of the following is guilty of a crime and may be sentenced as provided in paragraph (b):
1.9 	(1) recklessly handles or uses a gun or other dangerous weapon or explosive so as to 
1.10 	endanger the safety of another; or
1.11 	(2) intentionally points a gun of any kind, capable of injuring or killing a human being 
1.12 	and whether loaded or unloaded, at or toward another; or
1.13 	(3) manufactures or sells for any unlawful purpose any weapon known as a slungshot 
1.14 	or sand club; or
1.15 	(4) manufactures, transfers, or possesses metal knuckles ~~or a switch blade knife opening~~ 
1.16 	~~automatically~~; or
1.17 	(5) possesses any other dangerous article or substance for the purpose of being used 
1.18 	unlawfully as a weapon against another; or
1.19 	(6) outside of a municipality and without the parent's or guardian's consent, furnishes a 
1.20 	child under 14 years of age, or as a parent or guardian permits the child to handle or use, 
1.21 	outside of the parent's or guardian's presence, a firearm or airgun of any kind, or any 
1.22 	ammunition or explosive.
2.1 	Possession of written evidence of prior consent signed by the minor's parent or guardian 
2.2 	is a complete defense to a charge under clause (6).
2.3 	(b) A person convicted under paragraph (a) may be sentenced as follows:
2.4 	(1) if the act was committed in a public housing zone, as defined in section 152.01, 
2.5 	subdivision 19, a school zone, as defined in section 152.01, subdivision 14a, or a park zone, 
2.6 	as defined in section 152.01, subdivision 12a, to imprisonment for not more than one year 
2.7 	or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both; or
2.8 	(2) otherwise, including where the act was committed on residential premises within a 
2.9 	zone described in clause (1) if the offender was at the time an owner, tenant, or invitee for 
2.10 	a lawful purpose with respect to those residential premises, to imprisonment for not more 
2.11 	than 90 days or to payment of a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.