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Freeborn County residents split over allowing rifles after Minnesota law change
Summary
At a Feb. 12 public input session, Freeborn County residents and officials expressed divided views on whether to retain a shotgun-only zone or permit rifles under a recent Minnesota law; officials said no decision would be made tonight and clarified that the DNR enforces standard rifle/shotgun zones while local deputies would enforce any county caveats.
Freeborn County held a public input session on Feb. 12, 2026, to gather residents’ views after a change in Minnesota law that gives counties discretion to keep shotgun-only zones or allow rifles in designated areas. The board said it would not make a decision at the meeting and indicated any ordinance should be finalized before the DNR’s May booklet deadline.
The law change effectively makes the county a rifle zone by default unless the county passes a shotgun-only ordinance. Sheriff Shea and other officials explained that if the county adopts a straightforward shotgun-or-rifle designation the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources would enforce it; but if the county inserts caveats (for example, permitting only straight‑wall cartridges) enforcement would fall to county deputies. "The DNR will enforce it if it's a rifle zone, and they'll enforce it if it's a shotgun zone," an enforcement official stated. "Anything in between, and they'll wash their hands of it." (Sheriff Shea)
Public commenters were split. Residents who favored keeping shotgun-only restrictions emphasized safety and trespass incidents near homes and farmyards. "These bullets can go a long ways," said Doug Ruble, who recounted a slug that once penetrated a family property decades ago. Several speakers worried that high‑powered rifles would increase road hunting and the risk that bullets could reach neighboring houses.
Other commenters urged allowing rifles or at least narrower rifle rules. Jay Crabtree said the region’s original shotgun limits were adopted in the 1940s as a deer-management tool, not for safety, and pointed to neighboring Wisconsin counties that lifted rifle restrictions without reported safety problems. "It was a management tool, not a safety tool," Crabtree said. Dustin Tramm, who supports conversion to a rifle zone, said a nearby county’s experience showed "literally no downsides at all." He also suggested expanded rifle allowances could increase license purchases.
Several speakers proposed compromises. Paul Neals and Wade Steven recommended allowing only straight‑wall cartridges (excluding high‑power calibers such as .30‑06 or .308) to reduce projectile travel, an option many residents said would reduce cross‑county confusion and safety concerns. "If rifles were allowed, I would like to just see straight wall cartridge only," Neals said.
Conservation and enforcement perspectives were discussed. Brian Christians reported speaking with a local conservation officer who had "no concerns over the safety aspect," and multiple speakers noted that muzzleloaders and some shotguns already reach long distances in local terrain. Board members emphasized the complexity of the decision and the difficulty of satisfying all residents. One commissioner noted that the state legislature could still amend the law.
Procedural note: the meeting opened with a routine motion to approve the agenda, which was moved and seconded by commissioners and approved by voice vote; no formal votes on hunting regulations or ordinances occurred during the session.
The board did not schedule a final decision at this meeting. Members said they would continue reviewing written comments, consult neighboring counties and state guidance, and consider enforcement implications before taking formal action. The county aims to finalize any ordinance early enough to appear in the DNR booklet ahead of the hunting season.
