Democrats Introduce Legislation Banning the Sale of Semiautomatic Military-Style Assault Weapons

The Summary: Minnesota Democrats introduced a bill (HR3570) on the first day of the legislative session that would ban the sale and transfer of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons. Read the full bill here. 

Leading the Legislation: The bill was authored by five Democratic Representatives including Esther Agbaje, Leigh Finke, Alicia 'Liish' Kozlowski, Larry Kraft, and Samantha Sencer-Mura.

Key Bill Provisions:

1. Definition of Semiautomatic Military-Style Assault Weapon: Includes firearms like AK-47, AR-15, Uzi, and others, along with certain characteristics like detachable magazines and pistol grips.

2. Prohibition on Transfer: The bill will make it illegal to transfer semiautomatic military-style assault weapons, covering sales, gifts, loans, or any form of delivery to another individual.

3. Penalty: Violators of the transfer prohibition will face felony charges, with potential imprisonment for up to five years or fines up to $25,000, or both.

4. Establishment of a Semiautomatic Military-Style Assault Weapon Buyback Program: The Commissioner of Public Safety will be tasked with establishing a statewide buyback program for these weapons, accepting them regardless of condition and reimbursing at a rate determined by the commissioner.

Background on Minnesota Gun Control Legislation: In 2023, Minnesota Democrats pushed through a gun control package, including a "red flag" law and expanded background checks. The legislation enabled petitions to remove firearms from individuals posing significant danger and extends background checks to private transfers.