Minnesota Legislature Returns — 2A Battles Front and Center

Austin Reville
Feb 17
3 min read

The Minnesota Legislature returns to St. Paul on February 17 amid political tension, an election year atmosphere, and sharp divisions between Democrats and Republicans. While lawmakers will debate immigration policy, fraud investigations, and bonding packages, here at 2 If By Sea Tactical, our primary focus is clear: Second Amendment policy. The 2A fight will once again take center stage this session.

Democrats Signal Renewed Push for Gun Restrictions

Minnesota House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson

Following last year’s tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School and the assassination of former House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman, Governor Tim Walz vowed to bring an “assault weapons” ban to the floor. That effort stalled in 2025 as even some Democrats hesitated. Now, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson says Democrats will try again.

Proposals expected this session include:

A ban on so-called “assault weapons”
Restrictions on standard-capacity magazines
Expanded promotion and funding of Minnesota’s red flag law
Additional gun-related school safety measures
Potential mental health system changes tied to firearm access

Minnesota Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson has indicated Republicans are unlikely to support new firearm restrictions. With all 201 legislators up for re-election this fall, expect strong rhetoric—and very little middle ground.

Immigration, Fraud & Bonding — But 2A Remains the Flashpoint

Lawmakers will also wrestle with:

Immigration enforcement disputes between state and federal authorities
Medicaid fraud investigations totaling tens of millions of dollars
A potential $900 million to $1.2 billion bonding bill

While these issues are significant, the political energy around firearms policy is likely to dominate headlines and campaign messaging. Election-year politics make bipartisan compromise harder, and gun policy has become one of the clearest dividing lines between the parties.

What This Means for Minnesota Gun Owners

Minnesota has already passed red flag laws and expanded background check requirements in recent sessions. An “assault weapons” ban would represent a significant escalation.

The outcome will depend on:

Internal Democratic unity
Whether moderate members break ranks
Public pressure from constituents
The broader national political climate

Gun owners must pay attention.

What happens in St. Paul this year could shape firearm ownership in Minnesota for decades. At 2 If By Sea Tactical, Southern Minnesota’s Premier Indoor Range and Firearms Store, we monitor all legislative developments—but our biggest focus is 2A issues. While immigration, fraud, and bonding debates matter to Minnesotans, our mission is to track, analyze, and communicate what directly impacts your right to keep and bear arms.

We believe:

Constitutional rights deserve constant vigilance
Law-abiding gun owners should not be punished for criminal acts
Policy decisions should be grounded in facts—not emotion

This session is shaping up to be contentious. The 2A debate is far from over.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. And stay connected with 2 If By Sea for updates on Minnesota gun policy and everything affecting your Second Amendment rights.

Make sure you continue to exercise your rights each and every day. It is harder to remove rights when they are being exercised than when they are going unutilized. Remember, stay engaged. Reach out to your representatives and remind them of their oath, regardless of party. Support those who support you like the Minnesota Gun Owner’s Caucus. Be vigilant and always remember, an armed society is a polite society.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.