Minnesota Gun Rights Bill Finds Staunch Opposition
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.17.12
The Minnesota State finance committee recently passed House File 1467 with a vote of 10 to 5. The bill will now be considered by the House Judiciary Committee.
According to therightofthepeople.org, HF 1467 contains several significant firearms policy reformations.
- The law, if passed, would remove a Minnesotans’ legal responsibility to retreat from an attacker allowing an individual to stand their grown and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present.
- It would create a presumption that someone who enters another person’s home, either by force or stealth, is there to cause substantial injury or death. This would justify the use of deadly force against any home invader.
- Currently Minnesota carry permits are valid in 15 states. The proposed law would make it easier for other states to enter into reciprocity agreements with Minnesota.
- The law would forbid any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession of a firearm during a state of emergency.
- It would extend the life of a gun permit from 1 year to 5 years and permit denials easier to appeal.
Many Minnesotans have voiced the opposition to HF1467.
The text often referred to by HF1467 opponents reads: “A dwelling includes, but is not limited to, a building or conveyance and that building’s or conveyance’s curtilage and any attached or adjacent deck, porch, appurtenance, or other structure, whether the building or conveyance is used temporarily or permanently for these purposes, is mobile or immobile, or is a motor vehicle, watercraft, motor home, tent, or the equivalent.”
You can read the entire text of HF1467 here: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/getbill.php?number=HF1467&session=ls87&version=list&session_number=0&session_year=2011
The key term in question is “cartilage” which, in legal matters, refers to the land surrounding a dwelling.
Opponents of HF14677 refer to it as the “Shoot First.” Protect Minnesota, one such group of opponents, claim the bill’s language is too ambiguous and is worded in such a way that Minnesotan’s could should unarmed individuals simply for entering their yard.
At this time there is no word on if or how the bill we be changed in order to gain further support.
The bill was sponsored by Minnesota State Senator Gretchen Hoffen (R) and Representative Tony Cornish (R).
