Minnesota Bill Would Ban Transfer of Semi-automatic Firearms

AmmoLand ^ | March 22, 2025 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

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:

[marktwain]

The bill to ban transfers of semi-automatics includes most .22 rimfire semi-autos.

[Red Badger]

Just do it in another state.........................

[circlecity]

A ban on transfers is just a delayed confiscation. When the owner dies the gun can’t be transferred to anyone else.

[marktwain]

Correct. Slo-mo confiscation.

[lgjhn23]

Outright infringement on the rights of the People.
Seems the British tried the same thing: Our forefathers shot em.

[kiryandil]

[READINABLUESTATE]

Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 624.712, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Semiautomatic military-style assault weapon. (a) “Semiautomatic
military-style assault weapon” means:
(1) any of the following firearms:

(i) Avtomat Kalashnikov (AK-47) semiautomatic rifle type;

(ii) Beretta AR-70 and BM-59 semiautomatic rifle types;

(iii) Colt AR-15 semiautomatic rifle type;

(iv) Daewoo Max-1 and Max-2 semiautomatic rifle types;

(v) Famas MAS semiautomatic rifle type;

(vi) Fabrique Nationale FN-LAR and FN-FNC semiautomatic rifle types;

(vii) Galil semiautomatic rifle type;

(viii) Heckler & Koch HK-91, HK-93, and HK-94 semiautomatic rifle types;

(ix) Ingram MAC-10 and MAC-11 semiautomatic pistol and carbine types;

(x) Intratec TEC-9 semiautomatic pistol type;

(xi) Sigarms SIG 550SP and SIG 551SP semiautomatic rifle types;

(xii) SKS with detachable magazine semiautomatic rifle type;

(xiii) Steyr AUG semiautomatic rifle type;

(xiv) Street Sweeper and Striker-12 revolving-cylinder shotgun types;

(xv) USAS-12 semiautomatic shotgun type;

(xvi) Uzi semiautomatic pistol and carbine types; or

(xvii) Valmet M76 and M78 semiautomatic rifle types;

[Resolute Conservative]

Transfer, smansfer... my kids already have most of mine and have a key to the house and combo to the safe. They know to come get them immediately.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I don’t think we need this anti-Second Amendment anymore. The left and their illegal aliens have shifted their sights from public school mass killings to killing the Jews and conservative Americans.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Semi-auto rifles have been around since 1903. The democratic promise from 1962 till 1984 was that “Rifles would not be affected.” from all their attempts to ban handguns.
Then in 1984 they realized rifles were a target of opportunity to be banned and made a grab for them.

“Never let a crisis go to waste!”
How California created a crisis to ban semi auto rifles...
They wrote a horrible AW rifle ban bill which had so much opposition the bill was pulled and shelved.
Then the state created a crisis when they released Pat Purdy from a mental institution, allowed him to violate State and Federal laws by buying a rifle in Oregon and a handgun in California, passing the waiting periods and background checks.
He then went and shot up the Stockton School yard killing several students and himself.
The shelved AW ban bill was pulled out and passed before opposition could be mounted against it.

[vikingd00d]

>>A ban on transfers is just a delayed confiscation. When the owner dies the gun can’t be transferred to anyone else.

If this bill passes constitutional muster, then perhaps we could enact a ban on the transfer of communist or socialist thoughts. Gradually wipe those ideas out of circulation...

[Texas Fossil]

2nd Amendment:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

[marktwain]

There are the models specifically listed, and several more categories of “types” to be banned.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Looks like Bill Clinton”s ban bill which listed rifles to be banned.
So the manufacturers simply followed the law to the letter.
They changed the names of the rifles.
They removed the flash suppressor, bayonet lug and solidified the collapsible stock.(How many deaths resulted from bayonets in the 1900s?)
They limited the magazine to ten rounds.
These bowdlerized rifles were still being sold all through the “ban” and if you knew where to look you could get a 30 round magazine stamped “For Police Use Only”.
Still, if they can get such a law to “stick” they will be back after more, and more and more.

[Big Red Badger]

It sounds like the Tyranny of California and their Non Transfer laws I escaped.

[Candor7]

Oh Nos!

I will have to keep my Tampon Tim memorial model that shoots tampons down range at 500 fps?

Rural Minnesotans will hate this. They will go to South Dakota to do their business.

[DownInFlames]

(xii) SKS with detachable magazine semiautomatic rifle type;

So buy the SKS that has the stripper clip.

[volare737]

Minnesota just keeps moving further and further to the left. I guess that makes Tampon Timmy the perfect governor for the state.

[Red Badger]

Well, they are making the people keep them alright.............

[lurk]

No doubt owners will leap to comply with this new law.

NY already tried this and got erased in court.