MN HF2847

Makes it a gross misdemeanor to falsely report to law enforcement that a firearm has been lost or stolen, with enhanced penalties of up to five years imprisonment and $10,000 fine for repeat offenses or when the firearm is transferred to someone intending to commit a violent felony.

Expands the crime of transferring firearms to ineligible persons by changing the standard from "knows" to "knows or has reason to believe" and broadening it to include any state or federal law disqualifications, not just Minnesota statute violations.

Makes violations of the false firearms reporting crime (609.505, subdivision 3) and firearm transfer crime (624.7141) separate grounds for lifetime firearm possession prohibition.

Increases penalties for illegal firearm transfers to felony level if the transferee uses the weapon within one year in furtherance of a violent felony, or if the transferor knew or had reason to believe the transferee intended to use it in a violent crime.

All amendments are effective August 1, 2012, and apply only to crimes committed on or after that date.