A bill Rep. Eric Lucero, R-Dayton, authored to clarify current state law regarding law-abiding Minnesota citizens purchasing long guns in any state overwhelmingly passed the full House 110-19 Thursday.
Lucero’s bill (H.F. 830) clarifies existing state law to conform with federal law.
Rep. Eric Lucero of House District 30B speaks on the floor of the Minnesota House. (Submitted)
The Minnesota Legislature passed a law in 1969 affirming Minnesota residents purchasing long guns (rifles and shotguns) was permitted in Minnesota and in contiguous states. In 1986, the Federal Firearms Owners Protection Act rescinded the federal law which limited purchases of long guns to contiguous states only. Rescinding the previous federal law resulted in purchases of long guns being allowed in any state – as long as the purchase is permitted in both states – but the language of current Minnesota statute lacks clarity in that regard.
“Current Minnesota law is poorly written resulting in the potential law-abiding Minnesotans may unjustly be denied their right to purchase long guns while in another state,” Lucero said. “I want to ensure our Second Amendment rights are upheld and the language of my bill makes it abundantly clear law-abiding Minnesotans are allowed to purchase long guns in any state.”
Lucero’s legislation was also included as a provision in the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee’s omnibus bill which was approved by that committee this week.