Firearm Safety Bills Pass House Floor, Pending Action in Senate

May 2, 2024

On April 29, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation that would require a person whose firearm is lost or stolen to report it to law enforcement within 48 hours of the loss or theft. Not doing so the first time would result in a petty misdemeanor, with greater penalties for future failures. 

“Lost and stolen firearms are an appealing source of firearms for people who are illegally prohibited from owning guns,” said Rep. Kaohly Vang Her on the House floor. “This is a reasonable gun violence prevention measure.” 

Opponents argued that the 48-hour reporting requirement would criminalize victims of theft, but the legislation passed on a 68-63 vote.  

The House is expected to pass two other firearm safety bills this session - HF 4300 (Becker-Finn, DFL – Roseville), a bill requiring that firearms be secured with a locking device, unloaded, and kept separately from ammunition, and HF 2609 (Berg, DFL – Burnsville) legislation that prohibits the “ghost purchase” of a firearm, where one person buys a firearm and then transfers it to a person who is prohibited from owning it. The legislation gained momentum following the fatal shooting of two Burnsville police officers and a paramedic in February. 

The bills received committee hearings in the Senate but have not received a floor vote yet.