Minnesota: NRA-Backed Self-Defense Reform Bill Passes in the State Senate

Today, the Minnesota Senate passed House Bill 1467 by a 40 to 23 vote. This important reform legislation, sponsored by state Senator Gretchen Hoffman (R-10) and state Representative Tony Cornish (R-24B), will now be sent back to the state House of Representatives for its concurrence, before being sent to Governor Mark Dayton for his consideration.  The House vote on concurrence is expected to take place this Monday, February 27.

Accordingly, please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to vote to pass HB 1467 as amended in the state Senate.

To locate your state Representative and his or her contact information, please click here.

Thank you to those state Senators who voted to pass this important self-defense reform legislation. 

HF 1467 contains three important firearm policy improvements:

Stand Your Ground:
HF 1467 would remove a person’s “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present.  It would create a presumption that an individual who forcefully or stealthily enters or attempts to enter your home or vehicle is there to cause substantial or great bodily injury or death, so the occupant may use force, including deadly force, against that individual.  It would also expressly allow an individual to use force, including deadly force, to prevent a forcible felony, and it provides protections against criminal prosecution when justifiable force is used.

Universal Recognition:
Currently, Minnesota has reciprocal agreements with only fifteen states and 23 states recognize Minnesota's permit to carry.  Unfortunately, Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety has not sought out any additional reciprocity agreements.  By adding our proposed language, Minnesota will recognize every state that offers a carry permit and drastically improve Minnesotans’ abilities to carry for self-defense in other states.  This legislation would also require Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety to enter in to reciprocity agreements.

Emergency Powers Reform:
This legislation would prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation and defensive use of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana.