1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; modifying night vision possession restrictions;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 97B.045, subdivision 3; 97B.086.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.045, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subd. 3.Exceptions; hunting and shooting ranges. (a) Notwithstanding 
1.7 	provisions to the contrary under this chapter, a person may transport an unloaded, uncased 
1.8 	firearm, excluding a pistol as defined in paragraph (b), in a motor vehicle while at a 
1.9 	shooting range, as defined under section 87A.01, subdivision 3, where the person has 
1.10 	received permission from the lawful owner or possessor to discharge firearms; lawfully 
1.11 	hunting on private or public land; or travelling to or from a site the person intends to hunt 
1.12 	lawfully that day or has hunted lawfully that day, unless:
1.13 	(1) within Anoka, Hennepin, or Ramsey County;
1.14 	(2) within the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city with a population 
1.15 	of 2,500 or more;
1.16 	(3) on school grounds; or
1.17 	(4) otherwise restricted under section 97A.091,or 97B.081, or 97B.086.
1.18 	(b) For the purposes of this section, a "pistol" includes a weapon designed to be fired 
1.19 	by the use of a single hand and with an overall length less than 26 inches, or having a 
1.20 	barrel or barrels of a length less than 18 inches in the case of a shotgun or having a barrel 
1.21 	of a length less than 16 inches in the case of a rifle:
1.22 	(1) from which may be fired or ejected one or more solid projectiles by means 
1.23 	of a cartridge or shell or by the action of an explosive or the igniting of flammable or 
1.24 	explosive substances; or
2.1 	(2) for which the propelling force is a spring, elastic band, carbon dioxide, air or 
2.2 	other gas, or vapor.
2.3 	Pistol does not include a device firing or ejecting a shot measuring .18 of an inch, or less, 
2.4 	in diameter and commonly known as a "BB gun," a scuba gun, a stud gun or nail gun used 
2.5 	in the construction industry, or children's pop guns or toys.

2.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 97B.086, is amended to read:
2.7 	97B.086 POSSESSION OFHUNTING WITH NIGHT VISION OR THERMAL 
2.8 	IMAGING EQUIPMENT PROHIBITED.
2.9 	(a) A person may not possess night vision or thermal imaging equipment while 
2.10 	taking protected wild animals or while having in possession, either individually or as 
2.11 	one of a group of persons, a firearm, bow, or other implement that could be used to take 
2.12 	wild animals.
2.13 	(b) This section does not apply to a firearm that is:
2.14 	(1) unloaded;
2.15 	(2) in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm that fully encloses the firearm 
2.16 	by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened without any portion of 
2.17 	the firearm exposed; and
2.18 	(3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
2.19 	(c) This section does not apply to a bow that is:
2.20 	(1) completely encased or unstrung; and
2.21 	(2) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle.
2.22 	(d) If the motor vehicle under paragraph (b) or (c) does not have a trunk, the firearm 
2.23 	or bow must be placed in the rearmost location of the vehicle.
2.24 	(e) (b) This section does not apply to night vision or thermal imaging equipment 
2.25 	possessed by peace officers or military personnel while exercising their duties.