Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Minnesota Research, Policy Analysis, and Recommendations

By Ethan Bartlett, Kelly Roskam,  Kathryn Fleisher, Alex McCourt

This report focuses on evidence-based policy recommendations tailoredto Minnesota. Though Minnesota has made substantial progress inpassing policies to prevent gun violence in the state, there are stillpathways forward to better protect their individuals and communitiesfrom firearm-related harms. We recognize that firearm policy does notwork in a vacuum. Other types of interventions, such as targetedpublic health programs and investments to meet the needs of differentcommunities, are necessary to comprehensively address gun violence inthe state. While these recommendations are not an exhaustive list,enacting these evidence-based policies will help to reduce the burdenof gun violence on Minnesotans. As public health practitioners, ourrecommendations are for Minnesota to: Strengthen Safe StorageRequirements Require safe storage practices for all guns, regardlessof whether or not children can access them. Expand the child accesslaw to cover access by those otherwise ineligible for gun possession.Strengthen the Firearm Purchaser Licensing Process Extend thetransferee permit requirement to all firearm transfers. Add a trainingrequirement with a live fire element to the transferee permitapplication process. Require that transferee permit applicants arefingerprinted as part of the application process. Require apoint-of-sale background check for private sales. Strengthen PublicCarryRegulations Maintain the requirement to obtain a permit to carrya firearm in public. Require applicants for permits to carry to submitfingerprints. Enact place-based prohibition on firearms at locationssuch as polling locations, ballot drop boxes, and protestsStrengthenDomestic Violence Prevention Protections Prohibit firearm possessionand require firearm relinquishment by persons subject to ex partedomestic violence protective orders. Require compliance reviewhearings for subjects of domestic violence protective orders. Prohibitthe Manufacture, Sale, Transfer, and Possession of Large CapacityMagazines Prohibit the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession oflarge capacity magazines (magazines containing more than 10 rounds ofammunition). Create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention Create anOffice of Gun Violence Prevention that acts as the state clearinghouseto address all forms of gun violence through evidence informedpolicies and programs.

Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, 2025. 27p.