Loaded firearms required to be stored in locations where persons prohibited from possessing firearms cannot access the firearms.

A bill for an act

relating to public safety; requiring loaded firearms be stored in locations where

persons prohibited from possessing firearms cannot access the firearms; amending

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.666, subdivisions 1, 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following words have the

meanings given.

(a) "Firearm" means a device designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled

a projectile by the force of any explosion or force of combustion.

(b) "Child" means a person under the age of 18 years.

(c) "Loaded" means the firearm has ammunition in the chamber or magazine, if the

magazine is in the firearm
deleted text begin
, unless the firearm is incapable of being fired by a child who is

likely to gain access to the firearm
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.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.666, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Access to firearms.

A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who negligently

stores or leaves a loaded firearm in a location where the person knows, or reasonably should

know, that a child
new text begin
or a person prohibited from possessing firearms under section 624.713,

subdivision 1,
new text end
is likely to gain access, unless reasonable action is taken to secure the firearm

against access by the child
new text begin
or the person prohibited from possessing firearms
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.