Firearm Safety Legislation Moving in Both House and Senate

March 28, 2024

Several MMA-supported firearm safety bills are working their way through the Capitol.

On March 22, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard and passed SF 4312 (Gustafson, DFL – Vadnais Heights), which would require that firearms be secured with a locking device, unloaded, and kept separately from ammunition.  

In its letter of support, the MMA argued that death and injury by firearm is a public health crisis. 

“Physicians treat patients who are harmed or killed by firearms every day in Minnesota,” MMA President Laurel Ries, MD, wrote in the letter. “When more than 45,000 Americans die each year as a result of firearm violence – over 4,000 of whom were under the age of 19 – there’s no way to describe it other than a public health crisis.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), death by firearm is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. On average, 22 children and young adults die each day from firearm injuries. The MMA has argued many of these deaths could be prevented if firearms were stored properly. This assertion is backed by national studies, which  

have found that up to 32% of youth firearm deaths by firearm injury could be prevented if all household firearms were properly secured in accordance with standard firearm safety practices. Other national studies showed that, among children younger than 15 years old, unintentional shooting deaths were reduced by 23% in states with safe storage laws. 

The committee also heard and passed SF 606 (Westlin, DFL – Plymouth), which would require that lost or stolen firearms be reported to law enforcement within 48 hours. 

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed significant firearm safety legislation, including universal background checks for firearm exchanges and the authorization of extreme risk protection orders, otherwise known as “red flag” laws. Safe storage requirements and mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms did not pass in 2023 but is on track for approval in 2024. The MMA is strongly supportive of both bills. 

Both bills were referred to the Finance Committee – the last committee stop before a floor vote. The House companion bills are also on track for a floor vote.