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HF 2885

Permitted and trained school staff allowed to carry firearms.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Altendorf and 4 co-sponsors

Allows trained school staff to carry firearms on school property under a new school permit-to-carry system with annual training and sheriff-issued permits.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
#firearmsanddangerousweapons #publicsafetydepartment #teachers
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Bill Summary · HF 2885

Legislative Bill Summary — HF 2885 (2025-2026, Minnesota)

Title

Permitted and trained school staff allowed to carry firearms.

Purpose and Intent

HF 2885 proposes to authorize and regulate carrying firearms by school staff (teachers and other school employees) who have obtained specific training and a school-issued permit. The bill aims to enhance school safety by:
- Establishing a dedicated active shooter training program for school staff.
- Creating a formal process for school staff to obtain a specialized school permit to carry.
- Integrating these permits with existing firearm carry permits and ensuring consistent enforcement and oversight.

Key Provisions

1) Active Shooter Training Program (Section 1)

  • The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) must establish a school/college training program for teachers and employees, focusing on active shooter response.
  • Training must be offered at least once per year and can be contracted to a private organization.
  • Training is provided at no cost to public elementary/middle/secondary school staff, charter school staff (chapter 124E), and postsecondary institutions (chapters 136F or 137).
  • Eligibility for the training requires completion of the state permit-to-carry training under section 624.714 within one year prior to attending or already possessing a permit to carry.
  • Definitions:
    • “Teacher” aligns with Minnesota Statutes section 122A.06, subdivision 2.
    • “Employee” aligns with Minnesota Statutes section 181.931, subdivision 2.
  • Effective date: the day after final enactment.

2) Expanded Permitted Possession on School Property (Section 2)

  • Amends 609.66, subdivision 1d, to address possession on school property:
    • General rule: Possessing a dangerous weapon on school property is a felony (up to 5 years or $10,000 fine, or both).
    • Replicas/BB guns have separate penalties (misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors).
    • A new exception accommodates individuals authorized to carry a firearm under a permit (including school staff with a permit to carry) when carried on or about the person in areas known to be school property, but with specific limitations.
    • Adds a specific allowance for teachers and employees who hold a school permit to carry (see Section 3).
  • Defines “school property” to include schools, licensed child care centers during activity times, school buses during transport, and certain posted areas under school control.
  • Several exclusions remain (e.g., active licensed peace officers, on-duty military personnel, practicing safety courses on school property, ceremonial color guards, etc.).
  • Effective date: the day after final enactment.
  • Additional provision ensures school districts cannot regulate firearms for nonstudents/nonemployees on unimproved property if inconsistent with this subdivision.

3) School Permit to Carry (Section 3)

  • Adds new subdivision 8b (School permit to carry) under §624.714:
    • Eligibility: A school employee or teacher may apply for a school permit to carry from the county sheriff where they reside (or any sheriff for nonresidents).
    • Conditions for issuance (by sheriff, unless denied under existing exceptions):
    • Employed as a school teacher/employee.
    • Either already has a permit to carry or applying concurrently.
    • Has completed the BCA training program under §299C.26 within one year of application.
    • Completes the school permit application.
    • Not prohibited from carrying under other statute provisions.
    • Statewide standards for application forms and process to be adopted by the commissioner.
    • Processing fee: up to the actual direct cost or $100 (whichever is less); $10 of the fee goes to the state general fund.
    • Permit content: standardized official card indicating it’s a school permit to carry, issued by the sheriff, with name, residence, and ID, plus expiration and renewal details.
    • Valid for one year and renewable under the same criteria.
    • The application process may be combined with the standard permit to carry process.
    • Background checks and investigations required.
    • The permit becomes void if the holder becomes legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
  • Effective date: day after final enactment.

4) Employment and Postsecondary Policies (Section 4)

  • Amends §624.714, subdivision 18, to clarify:
    • Employers (public or private) may set policies restricting carry/possession of firearms by employees in the course of employment; academic sanctions may apply in public colleges/universities.
    • Parking facilities or areas may not prohibit lawful carry, per this subdivision.
    • The subdivision does not apply to teachers and employees authorized to carry firearms under §609.66, subd. 1d, f.
  • Effective date: day after final enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • Public, charter, and some postsecondary school staff (teachers and employees) seeking to carry firearms on school property with a permit.
  • School districts, postsecondary institutions, and sheriffs involved in administering permits and training.
  • Employers and postsecondary institutions regarding firearms policies and parking facility allowances.

Timelines and Procedures

  • Training: annual, at no cost, via BCA; completion of this training within one year of applying for the school permit.
  • School permit: valid for one year; renewable; requires background checks and statewide form standards.
  • Fees: processing cap of $100 (lesser of cost or $100); $10 remitted to state.
  • Effective date: day after final enactment for most provisions.

Potential Impact

  • Increases options and formal pathways for trained school staff to carry firearms on school property.
  • Emphasizes standardized active-shooter response training for school personnel.
  • Creates a dedicated permit category (school permit to carry) with its own application flow and renewal cycle.
  • Balances safety with existing prohibitions and exemptions, including school policies and parking allowances.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced; actual law may differ after passage and any amendments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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