US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

     624.7181 Rifles and shotguns in public places. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definitions.  For purposes of this 
 section, the following terms have the meanings given them. 

    (a) "BB gun" means a device that fires or ejects a shot 
 measuring .18 of an inch or less in diameter. 

    (b) "Carry" does not include: 

    (1) the carrying of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun to, from, 
 or at a place where firearms are repaired, bought, sold, traded, 
 or displayed, or where hunting, target shooting, or other lawful 
 activity involving firearms occurs, or at funerals, parades, or 
 other lawful ceremonies; 

    (2) the carrying by a person of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun 
 that is unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a 
 firearm, if the case fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, 
 snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and no portion of 
 the firearm is exposed; 

    (3) the carrying of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun by a person 
 who has a permit under section 624.714; 

    (4) the carrying of an antique firearm as a curiosity or 
 for its historical significance or value; or 

    (5) the transporting of a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun in 
 compliance with section 97B.045. 

    (c) "Public place" means property owned, leased, or 
 controlled by a governmental unit and private property that is 
 regularly and frequently open to or made available for use by 
 the public in sufficient numbers to give clear notice of the 
 property's current dedication to public use but does not include:
 a person's dwelling house or premises, the place of business 
 owned or managed by the person, or land possessed by the person; 
 a gun show, gun shop, or hunting or target shooting facility; or 
 the woods, fields, or waters of this state where the person is 
 present lawfully for the purpose of hunting or target shooting 
 or other lawful activity involving firearms. 

    Subd. 2.    Penalties.  Whoever carries a BB gun, rifle, 
 or shotgun on or about the person in a public place is guilty of 
 a gross misdemeanor.  A person under the age of 21 who carries a 
 semiautomatic military-style assault weapon, as defined in 
 section 624.712, subdivision 7, on or about the person in a 
 public place is guilty of a felony. 

    Subd. 3.    Exceptions.  This section does not apply to 
 officers, employees, or agents of law enforcement agencies or 
 the armed forces of this state or the United States, or private 
 detectives or protective agents, to the extent that these 
 persons are authorized by law to carry firearms and are acting 
 in the scope of their official duties. 

    HIST: 1993 c 326 art 1 s 34; 1994 c 576 s 58; 1994 c 636 art 3 
 s 42 

Copyright 2005 by the Office of Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota.