Committee rejects statewide ban on magazines over 10 rounds after tied vote

Representative Tapke presented House File 34‑02, a proposal to ban magazines with capacities greater than 10 rounds and to provide a one‑year transition (until July 1, 2027) for owners to modify, dispose of or transfer magazines out of state. An A1 author’s amendment reduced an initial felony term from five years to two years.

Supporters said the change would add a layer of safety and referenced other states with magazine limits. "We know that there will be more mass shootings in the state of Minnesota," Representative Tapke said, urging the committee to take reasonable steps to reduce casualties.

Opponents raised practical and constitutional concerns: witnesses and members said magazines are widely available and enforcement would be difficult, and they warned that hunters and ordinary owners could be affected. Representative Novotny and others described common rifles and tubular magazines used for hunting that might fall within the bill’s language and asked whether lawful hunting would be impeded.

The committee asked questions about off‑duty law‑enforcement carriage and enforcement mechanisms. Representative Greenman cited firearms‑ownership estimates during debate and acknowledged differences in data sources.

A roll call recorded 10 ayes and 10 nays; the motion to re‑refer HF34‑02 to Ways and Means did not prevail.

Because the committee did not approve the motion, HF34‑02 will not advance from this panel at this time. Authors and supporters said they will continue outreach and work on technical changes to address hunting exceptions and enforcement questions.