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HF 2796

Right of the people to keep and bear arms protected, and constitutional amendment proposed.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Novotny

Proposes adding a constitutional protection in Minnesota for the right of the people to keep and bear arms, restricting state and local regulation.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 2796

Summary: HF 2796 (2025-2026) — Right to Keep and Bear Arms; Constitutional Amendment Proposed

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Minnesota
  • Bill Type: Proposed constitutional amendment
  • Short Title: Right of the people to keep and bear arms protected, and constitutional amendment proposed
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Introduced / First Reading: March 26, 2025
  • Committee: Public Safety Finance and Policy (referred upon introduction)
  • Sponsor: Co-sponsor Paul Novotny

HF 2796 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Minnesota’s state constitution to protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms. As a constitutional amendment, passage would require separate affirmative votes by both houses of the Legislature and, depending on Minnesota’s process, typically a subsequent statewide ratification by voters, unless the bill specifies a different route. The material provided includes only the introduction and sponsorship details; no full text of the proposed amendment is included here.

Purpose and Intent

  • Core aim: To shield the right of individuals to keep and bear arms from regulation or restriction in a manner consistent with constitutional protections.
  • Policy direction: Establishes a constitutional basis that limits governmental regulation of firearm ownership, possession, and possibly use, subject to interpretation by courts and subsequent implementing statutes.

Key Provisions (What the Bill Seeks to Change or Add)

  • Constitutional protection: The bill would add language to the Minnesota Constitution affirming the right of the people to keep and bear arms.
  • Scope and limits (expected considerations): While the exact text is not provided in the summary, typical components of similar amendments include:
    • Recognition that individuals have a fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
    • Provisions regarding state and local government regulation, potentially including limits on bans, licensing, or permitting schemes.
    • A framework for enforcing the right, often with allowances for reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, and potential exceptions for public safety and health.
  • Implementation details (pending): The precise constitutional phrasing, definitions (e.g., what constitutes “arms,” “possession,” “carrying”), and remedies for violations would be determined if the bill advances and the amendment text is debated and adopted.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • State and local government: Likely subject to new constitutional constraints on firearm regulation, including limits on measures such as bans, licensing requirements, registration, magazine limits, and background checks, depending on enacted language and subsequent interpretations.
  • Individuals: Users who possess, carry, or use firearms would be directly impacted by the strengthened constitutional protections.
  • Law enforcement and judiciary: Courts and law enforcement agencies would interpret and apply the amendment, and judicial challenges to firearm regulations could be triggered or intensified.
  • Policy landscape: May influence future state laws, funding decisions for enforcement, and public safety regulations.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and referral: March 26, 2025; referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy.
  • Legislative path for constitutional amendments (typical, not specified in text):
    1. Passage by both the Minnesota House and Senate in separate sessions with a constitutional amendment measure.
    2. Voter ratification in a statewide election (in Minnesota, most constitutional amendments require approval by voters after legislative passage—precise sequence can depend on the constitutional process and any interim legislative rules).
  • Status: As of the provided information, the bill is at the introduction stage with a first reading. No committee vote or floor action is recorded here.

Notes and Caution

  • The summary above reflects the information available in the introduction and sponsor details. The exact text of the proposed constitutional amendment (its precise wording, definitions, and exceptions) is not provided. A full analysis would require reviewing the bill’s actual language, fiscal notes, and any accompanying analyses or fiscal impact statements.
  • If advancing, the bill would face standard constitutional-amendment hurdles in Minnesota, including potential committee hearings, floor votes, and, ultimately, voter approval in a statewide election.

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

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