2002 Minnesota Statutes

     97B.031 Use and possession of firearms. 

    Subdivision 1.    Firearms and ammunition that may be used 
 to take big game.  (a) A person may take big game with a 
 firearm only if:  

    (1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at 
 least .23 inches; 

    (2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile 
 ammunition; 

    (3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .23 inches 
 and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type; 

    (4) the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285 
 inches; 

    (5) the muzzle-loader used is incapable of being loaded at 
 the breech; 

    (6) the smooth-bore muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at 
 least .45 inches; and 

    (7) the rifled muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least 
 .40 inches. 

    (b) A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1 
 carbine cartridge.  

    (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (4), a person may 
 take big game with a ten millimeter cartridge that is at least 
 0.95 inches in length, a .45 Winchester Magnum cartridge, or a 
 .50 A. E. (Action Express) handgun cartridge.  

    Subd. 2.    Handguns for small game.  A person may take 
 small game with a handgun of any caliber in a manner prescribed 
 by the commissioner.  

    Subd. 3.    Firearms larger than ten gauge prohibited.  
 A person may not use a firearm with a bore larger than a ten 
 gauge to take a protected wild animal.  

    Subd. 4.    Silencers prohibited.  A person may not own 
 or possess a silencer for a firearm or a firearm equipped to 
 have a silencer attached.  

    HIST: 1986 c 386 art 2 s 7; 1989 c 153 s 1; 1989 c 287 s 7; 
 2000 c 473 s 7; 2002 c 351 s 15