Whether you’re like Ralphie Parker in A Christmas Story or you’re just someone who wants a simple way to take care of pests in your garden, many Minnesotans are interested in purchasing a BB gun for themselves of their children. Like any type of weapon, responsible ownership and handling is essential to staying safe and avoiding potential criminal penalties. But when can BB gun possession turn into a crime in Minnesota? We take a closer look at the laws regarding BB guns in Minnesota in today’s blog.
Minnesota BB Gun Laws
Minnesota is a little more strict when it comes to BB gun or airsoft gun ownership than many states, but if you’re aware of the laws and practice smart handling, it’s unlikely you’ll run into any issues. Let’s explore some of the takeaways from BB gun laws in Minnesota:
- In Minnesota, a BB gun is not considered a firearm. All firearms are guns, but not all guns are considered firearms. A weapon that makes use of fire to operate is the basic definition of a firearm, and a BB gun, pellet gun or airsoft gun do not meet this definition.
- Minnesota prohibits carrying a BB gun in a public place. You’re free to handle and shoot them on private property with permission, but you can’t carry them in public places. Minn. Stat. § 624.7181, subd. 2 (2024), states: ‘Whoever carries a BB gun, rifle, or shotgun on or about the person in a public place is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.'” In general, gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in jail and fines up to $3,000.
- You are allowed to carry a BB gun in a public place if you have a permit to carry or it is unloaded and stored in a case specifically designed to contain a firearm, or if it’s unloaded in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
- Although a BB gun is not considered a firearm, it can be considered a weapon such that criminal charges could be filed or upgraded based on the circumstances of an incident. Using a BB gun in the commission of a crime like robbery or an assault will lead to upgraded criminal penalties.
- It is a crime to possess a BB gun on school property, on a bus or at a childcare center.
- There are some strict regulations about possessing a BB gun at MSP airport. You must declare that you have the BB gun and go through additional screening procedures. Unknowingly carrying one through the airport is not a defense, and you can face criminal charges if the proper protocols are not followed.
- It is a felony for anyone to furnish a BB gun to someone under the age of 18 without the prior consent of the minor’s parent or guardian or of the police department of the municipality.
- Because a BB gun is not considered a firearm, individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm as a result of a previous criminal matter can typically possess a BB gun, so long as they abide by all local and state laws and any specific conditions of their sentencing.
Shooting a BB gun in your backyard isn’t going to be an issue, but taking it to a public park or on a city bus can lead to criminal charges, so be smart. If you or someone you know runs into a criminal issue as a result of your BB gun possession, connect with an attorney right away. Give the team at Appelman Law Firm a call today at (952) 224-2277.
