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Cili~s promolinp oxc~J]unce <br /> <br /> Phone: (651) 281-1'200 (800) 925-1122 <br />Fax: (651) 281-1299 TDD (651) 281d290 <br /> Web Site: http://wu~w.lmnc.org/ <br /> <br />Minnesota Citizens' Personal Protection Act of 2003 <br />"Conceal-and-Carry Law" -- What It Means For Cities <br /> <br />Gov. Tim Pawlenty recently signed into law a bill that reduces local authority over issuance of <br />concealed handgun permits and is expected to significantly increase the number 'of permit- <br />holders. The Minnesota Personal Protection Act, (Senate File 842, will be 2003 Minn. Sess. Law, <br />Chap. 28), passed in the House on an 88-46 vote and in the. Senate on a 37-30 vote, and was <br />signed into law by Gov. Pawlenty on April 28. It removes ail authority from police chiefs to <br />issue conceal and carD, permits, and mandates that sheriffs issue permits to all applicants except <br />those convicted of serious crimes. The law also prohibits cities from prohibiting guns on city <br />property, except in limited circumstances. <br /> <br />More than 300 organizations, including city councils, statewide police associations, churches and <br />health and education groups, opposed the legislation, arguing that the new law would put an <br />estimated 90,000 additional concealed weapons onto the streets. Currently, fewer than 12,000 <br />individuals have permits to carry concealed weapons. <br /> <br />Proponents of the bill argued that sheriffs and police chiefs had too much discretionary authority, <br />and that applicants should decide for themseh, es if they need to carry a concealed weapon, Three <br />groups supported the legislation: the National Rifle Association, Concealed Carry Reform Now, <br />and the Republican Party of Minnesota. <br /> <br />An amendment offered in the House on behalf of the League of Minnesota Cities would have <br />allowed public facilities, such as city halls, parks, and recreation centers, to prohibit concealed <br />weapons on the premises. The amendment failed on a vote of 48-84. No similar amendment was <br />attempted in the Senate. <br /> <br />Conceal.and-carry law: What it means for cities <br />League staff has prepared this memorandum to help cities understand some of the most <br />sigmificant implications of the new law. In addition, links to related information are provided at <br />the end of the memo. The League will continue to supplement this memorandum as additional <br />information is gathered about how the law is being interpreted by affected groups. Please let us <br />know if there are additional questions you would like us to address. <br /> <br />145 University Avenue West · St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 · (651) 281-1200 · (800) 925-I122 · ~xm~x,.trrmc.org <br /> <br /> <br />