Minnesota Senate Pushes New Wave of Gun Control Bills — What Gun Owners Need to Know
- Austin Reville
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
As the 2026 legislative session moves forward, a growing list of gun control bills is advancing through the Minnesota Senate—and the implications for law-abiding gun owners across the state are significant.
From sweeping semi-automatic firearm bans to expanded restrictions on where you can carry, the current push represents one of the most aggressive efforts to reshape Minnesota gun laws in recent memory.
The Headliner: Semi-Automatic Firearm Ban
The most concerning proposal is a bill that would ban so-called “assault weapons” and standard-capacity magazines. A version of this legislation has already passed through a key Senate committee on a 6-3 vote, moving it one step closer to a full floor vote. The bill would:
Ban the sale, transfer, and possession of many semi-automatic firearms
Require current owners to register their firearms with the state
Restrict future transfers, effectively ending private ownership over time
Potentially impose fees and compliance requirements on lawful owners
In short, this is not just a sales ban—it’s a long-term strategy to phase out ownership of some of the most commonly owned firearms in America.
A Broader Legislative Push
The semi-auto ban is just one piece of a much larger package moving through the Senate. According to tracking and testimony from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, several additional bills are also being considered:
Creates a new permanent government office dedicated to developing gun control policies
Funded by taxpayers and connected with outside advocacy groups
Allocates $1 million in state funding to a gun violence research center
Allows local governments to create their own gun laws
Opens the door to a patchwork of regulations across cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul
Removes the ability for school officials to allow lawful carry
Adds new restrictions on firearms stored in vehicles on school property
Prohibits lawful carry at the Minnesota State Capitol complex
These bills were all part of a recent Senate Judiciary hearing described by some advocates as a coordinated push to expand firearm restrictions statewide.
Why This Matters for Minnesota Gun Owners
The concern isn’t just one bill—it’s the cumulative impact. Taken together, these proposals would have serious burdens and restrictions on gun owners. These bills would restrict access to commonly owned firearms. They would limit where law-abiding citizens can carry. Add confusion by creating inconsistent local laws across the state. Most detrimentally, they would expand government oversight and bureaucracy around firearms
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has taken a firm stance, opposing these measures and warning that they represent a direct threat to lawful gun ownership in the state. We here at 2 If By Sea Tactical agree. We are also emphasizing a key point: many of these bills target law-abiding citizens, not criminals. As Thomas Jefferson wrote,
“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms ... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one.”
A Warning Sign for the Future
Minnesota is increasingly becoming a battleground state for Second Amendment rights. We are seeing this in other blue states where the rate of gun control bills being advanced has ramped up.
While some of these bills still face hurdles before becoming law, the fact that they are advancing through committees—and in some cases heading toward floor votes—signals a clear direction from lawmakers pushing these policies. At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe this moment demands attention.
The Second Amendment is not something that can be slowly chipped away without consequence. History shows that once restrictions are put in place, they rarely stop at “just one bill.” If you’re a Minnesota gun owner, now is the time to stay informed and engaged.
Follow updates from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
Contact your state senators and representatives
Pay attention to committee hearings and upcoming votes
Because once these laws are passed, the fight doesn’t get easier—it gets harder.
Minnesota is at a crossroads. The outcome of this legislative session could shape firearm rights in the state for years to come.
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.
Stay sharp, stay informed, and stay ready.
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