House passes bill to clarify authority to purchase firearms in other states

CORRECTION: The original post erroneously stated Minnesotans could not buy long guns in all states.

Rep. Eric Lucero

REFILED April 17, 2015: Minnesotans can purchase long guns, such as a rifle or a shotgun, in any state.

Sponsored by Rep. Eric Lucero (R-Dayton), HF830 would make that more clear to properly reflect a change that was made 29 years ago.

Passed 110-19 Thursday by the House, the bill now goes to the Senate where it is sponsored by Sen. Matt Schmit (DFL-Red Wing).

The federal Gun Control Act of 1968 restricted sales of long guns to residents who lived in the state where the gun was sold and residents of contiguous states provided the transaction was not forbidden under either state’s laws. A 1969 state law confirmed the federal law.

In 1986, the federal law regarding contiguous states was removed to allow purchase in any state, but Minnesota statute was never changed, thus the current confusion.