Minnesota Bill Would Ban Transfer of Semi-automatic Firearms

In 2024, a bill was introduced into the Minnesota legislature that would ban many semi-automatic rifles. The bill was similar to the President Clinton-era “assault rifle” ban. A related bill, HF3628,  did not pass out of the legislature in the last legislative session. In 2025, a new bill, Senate File SF1596/House File HF2449, takes a somewhat similar approach. The bill adds some new twists and turns. The new bill was introduced on February 20, 2025, and posted on February 25, 2025.

SF1596/HF2449 takes a different approach than HF3628 did. HF3628 banned the possession of a large number of rifles, pistols, and some shotguns. SF1596/HF2449 does not ban possession of the affected firearms, at least not right away. Instead, the bill bans the sale or transfer of these firearms. They are not allowed to be transferred as part of an estate or even to be transferred out of state. The idea is to prevent any new sale of the banned firearms and to gradually remove them from legitimate ownership in the state of Minnesota.

The major exception is that agents of the state may transfer such firearms to other agents of the state, defined as government officers, agents, employees, members of the armed forces of the United States, or peace officers, for official use by the recipient. No private citizens need apply.

The bill anticipates funds will be allocated for “buyback” programs. Such programs are mandated to accept the listed firearms at rates determined by the Commissioner of Public Safety. People participating in the “buyback” programs are immune from prosecution under the law.

Looking at the list of firearms that would be banned from transfer under this bill, there are a few surprises. Here are some categories of firearms that are not allowed to be transferred if the bill passes:

Semi-automatic pistols with fixed magazines having a capacity of over ten rounds. The first one to come to mind is the new Keltec PR-57, specifically designed as a self-defense carry pistol.

In the same line, the bill lists any semi-automatic, centerfire, or rimfire rifle with a fixed magazine which can hold more than ten rounds. This appears to include nearly all semi-automatic rimfire rifles with tubular magazines. The previous bill exempted .22 rifles with tubular magazines. This exemption was not found in SF1596/HF2449.

Any semi-automatic pistol that accepts a detachable magazine and has any one of four features is to be banned from being transferred. The feature which stands out to this correspondent is a “shroud which completely or partially encircles the barrel. This bans transfer of the Keltec CP33 and a number of Ruger MK variants which have shrouded barrels.

As written, the bill bans the transfer of dozens of currently legal firearm models, except to transfer them to gun “buyback” programs where the state would take possession.

At the moment, the bill has little support, according to gunowners.mn. This does not mean support will not grow at some point in the future.

This type of bill strikes at the very heart of the Second Amendment. It seeks to remove from public ownership most firearms that are least used in crimes, especially those which would be more effective as militia weapons. It is important for the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down state bans of semi-automatic rifles.  Such a ruling would make the passage of bills such as SF1596/HF2449 highly problematic.

About Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.