Attorney General Keith Ellison, Senator Ron Latz, and Representative Dave Pinto announced on March 16 new legislation aimed at prohibiting the creation, possession, and sale of ghost guns in Minnesota.
The proposed bill responds to concerns about untraceable firearms that can be assembled at home or produced with 3D printers. Supporters say these weapons pose a growing threat to public safety because they lack serial numbers and can bypass background checks.
According to the announcement, the number of ghost guns traced in Minnesota increased from 187 between 2017 and 2021 to 631 in just two years from 2022 to 2023. This represents a significant rise and places Minnesota among the top states for recovered crime-related ghost guns. Attorney General Ellison said, “The ability to 3D print a firearm or order a gun-building kit online makes it far too easy for dangerous individuals to get their hands on a gun, and that’s a serious problem.” He added that these weapons make it harder for law enforcement to investigate gun crimes.
Senator Latz said, “No one could’ve foreseen a world where you could print the parts to make a gun at home, but that’s the world we live in today. Our state gun laws need to reflect this new reality and the increasing prevalence of ghost guns. This legislation will close this dangerous loophole and help keep Minnesotans safe.” Representative Pinto also commented, “Every Minnesotan deserves to be safe, but ghost guns fundamentally undermine our work to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them. By sidestepping background checks and other safeguards, these weapons are a growing threat, and it’s time for the Legislature to take urgent action. Closing this loophole is a critical piece in our much broader work toward preventing gun violence in Minnesota.”
Law enforcement officials have voiced support for the measure. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara wrote that “ghost guns reflect a major risk to public safety because they can be assembled, purchased, and sold outside of regulated channels,” adding that provisions in HF 3407/SF 3661 will “help to limit the number of illegal firearms on the street and ensure that these weapons can be connected to a crime.” Advocacy groups such as Protect Minnesota and Everytown for Gun Safety also expressed support through letters submitted ahead of committee hearings.
The legislation will be presented by Attorney General Ellison and Senator Latz at a Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee hearing. If passed into law, supporters believe it would bring Minnesota’s regulations up-to-date with technological advances while helping reduce gun violence.
