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Bill Summary · HF 3351

Summary of HF 3351 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

HF 3351 repeals state-level preemption that currently limits local governments from regulating firearms and related ammunition. The bill restores local authority to regulate firearms, ammunition, and certain components, subject to state law and constitutional considerations. In essence, it shifts the balance of regulatory power back to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and other governmental subdivisions by removing specific statewide preemption provisions.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Repeal of State Preemption Provisions:
    • Repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections:
    • 471.633
    • 471.634
    • 624.714, subdivision 23
    • 624.717
    • 624.7191, subdivision 4
    • These sections collectively embodied broad state preemption prohibiting local regulation of firearms, ammunition, and certain related topics, and prescribing the exclusive criteria for carrying permits.
  • Zoning Authority Related to Firearms Retailers:
    • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 471.635 to allow governmental subdivisions to regulate, in a reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and nonarbitrary manner, the location of businesses that sell firearms (as defined by entities federally licensed to sell firearms).
    • This change explicitly permits local zoning actions affecting where firearms dealers can operate, while continuing to respect federal licensing standards.
  • Appendix Provisions (Existing Preemption Language Repealed):
    • The repealed sections previously included:
    • 471.633: Foretold state preemption of local regulation of firearms (with limited exceptions for discharge of firearms and alignment with state law).
    • 471.634: Definition clarifications about what entities are subject to preemption (excluding school districts in certain contexts).
    • 624.714, subd. 23: Exclusivity of concealed carry permit criteria and procedures (no local modification).
    • 624.717: Local regulation of carrying/possession of pistols superseded by state law.
    • 624.7191, subd. 4: Local regulation of ammunition (including components) superseded by state law.
  • No New State-Only Permitting Supremacy:
    • By repealing the above statutes, local governments would gain room to regulate firearms and related components, subject to any remaining state framework that might govern such activities, and without the broad preemption mechanism that previously barred local action.

Who is Affected

  • Local Governments: Cities, counties, townships, municipal corporations, and other governmental subdivisions in Minnesota, which would gain authority to enact or modify local firearm-related regulations (e.g., zoning for firearm retailers, local restrictions).
  • Firearms Dealers and Retailers: Potentially affected by local zoning decisions about the location of firearms retail businesses.
  • General Public: Residents and businesses within local jurisdictions could experience changes in local rules governing firearm sales, storage, and related activities based on local ordinances.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introductions and Sponsorship:
    • HF 3351 was introduced and referred to Elections, Finance and Government Operations.
    • Multiple co-sponsors listed (including Katie Jones and others).
  • Action History Highlights:
    • Initial introduction and first reading occurred in February 2026.
    • As of April 13, 2026, additional author information updated (Virnig added as author).
  • Status:
    • Bill text indicates a repeal-oriented measure; no final passage status provided in the excerpt.
    • The legislative process would proceed through standard committee review, potential amendments, floor votes, and reconciling if applicable.

Practical Implications

  • Local jurisdictions could tailor firearm-related regulations to local needs, such as:
    • Zoning constraints on firearm retailers.
    • Local regulation of discharge of firearms (subject to any retained limitations).
    • Local policies on storage, sales, or access related to firearms and ammunition.
  • Businesses and residents may experience a shift from a wide state-level preemption framework to more localized regulatory authority, potentially leading to a patchwork of local rules across Minnesota.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to current state preemption limits or map anticipated local regulatory examples by jurisdiction.

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

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