Process of firearm purchase by peace officers modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Peggy Scott

HF 5091 would let actively licensed Minnesota peace officers buy firearms using their badge or government ID plus photo ID, instead of a transferee permit.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

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Purpose and intent

HF 5091 proposes a modification to the process by which peace officers in Minnesota purchase firearms. The bill would create an expedited pathway for actively licensed peace officers to purchase firearms by allowing them to use official officer identification in lieu of a transferee permit. The aim appears to streamline firearm acquisitions for sworn law enforcement personnel while preserving identity verification.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of new statutory section: Minnesota Statutes, chapter 624, section 624.7135 (new text).

Purchase pathway for peace officers:

An actively licensed Minnesota peace officer may purchase a firearm by presenting:
The officer’s badge or other officially issued government identification demonstrating current employment as a peace officer in Minnesota.
Photo identification sufficient to prove the officer’s identity.
This proof is considered equivalent to presenting a transferee permit for firearm purchases.

Scope: Applies specifically to actively licensed peace officers in Minnesota.

Form of verification: Requires official government identification and photo ID; the badge/official ID serves as evidence of status as a peace officer.

Who is affected

Beneficiaries: Actively licensed peace officers employed in Minnesota.

Stakeholders affected include:

Peace officers who regularly purchase firearms for official duties or personal ownership.
Law enforcement agencies that issue badges/official IDs and may rely on the streamlined process.
Retail firearm dealers who must accept the peace officer verification as equivalent to a transferee permit for purchases by qualifying officers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: April 28, 2026.

Status: Introduced and referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy for consideration.

No explicit transition timeline or sunset provisions are stated in the provided text; the bill details an immediate statutory change once enacted.

Coding: Adds a new statute section [624.7135] to Minnesota Statutes.

Potential impact and considerations

Efficiency: Reduces procedural steps for peace officers when purchasing firearms by allowing use of badge/official ID in place of a transferee permit.

Verification: Relies on current employment status and proper identification to ensure eligibility.

Compliance: Dealers must recognize and accept the officer identification as equivalent to a transferee permit for purchases by eligible officers.

Policy considerations: As a targeted exemption for peace officers, it does not extend the same exemption to the general public.

Bottom line

HF 5091 would create a streamlined firearm purchase path for actively licensed Minnesota peace officers by treating their official badge or government identification, plus photo ID, as equivalent to a transferee permit. If enacted, the modification would be codified in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 624 (new section 624.7135).

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