H.F. No. 4323 - Summary

• Requires background checks through federally licensed firearms dealers for all firearm transfers between unlicensed persons occurring in Minnesota, with both parties appearing jointly before the dealer.

• Creates criminal penalties for violations: gross misdemeanor for first conviction, and felony punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine for second or subsequent convictions.

• Exempts specific transfers from background check requirements, including transfers between immediate family members, transfers at death, antique firearms, temporary transfers for hunting/shooting ranges/competitions, and transfers to law enforcement agencies.

• Allows federally licensed firearms dealers to charge a reasonable fee for conducting the background check and facilitating the transfer between unlicensed persons.

• Effective August 1, 2018, repealing previous provisions related to transferring firearms without background checks and transfers to unknown parties.