1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to game and fish; exempting military personnel and veterans from 
1.3 	firearms safety certificate requirement;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, 
1.4 	sections 97B.015, subdivision 5a; 97B.020.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.015, subdivision 5a, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 5a.Exemption for military personnel and veterans. Notwithstanding 
1.9 	subdivision 5, a person who has successfully completed basic training in the United States 
1.10 	armed forces is exempt from the range and shooting exercise portion of the required 
1.11 	course of instruction for the firearms safety certificate shall be issued a firearms safety 
1.12 	certificate. The commissioner may require written proof of the person's military training, 
1.13 	as deemed appropriate for implementing this subdivision. The commissioner shall 
1.14 	publicly announce this exemption from the range and shooting exercise requirement and 
1.15 	the availability of the department's online, remote study option for adults seeking firearms 
1.16 	safety certification. Military personnel are not exempt from any other requirement of this 
1.17 	section for obtaining a firearms safety certificate.

1.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
1.19 	97B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
1.20 	(a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a, a person 
1.21 	born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by 
1.22 	firearms unless the person has:
1.23 	(1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;
2.1 	(2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification 
2.2 	indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;
2.3 	(3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator;
2.4 	(4) an apprentice hunter validation issued under section 97B.022; or
2.5 	(5) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another 
2.6 	state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or 
2.7 	certified by the department as substantially similar.
2.8 	(b) A person who is on active duty and has successfully completed basic training 
2.9 	in the United States armed forces, reserve component, or National Guard may obtain a 
2.10 	hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether the person is issued 
2.11 	a firearms safety certificate.
2.12 	(c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take 
2.13 	wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual 
2.14 	license under paragraph (a) or (b).