Firearm suppressors are illegal in Minnesota?

Question

Hello,
I have a 2 part question.

First, I know that firearm suppressors are illegal in the state of Minnesota (stupid I know), but I cannot find the statue or law or anything even matching the term in Minnesota laws anywhere. Does anyone know what the verbiage, statue or law number is? Like I said, I cannot find one single mention of it in any of the state laws.

Second, and more importantly, what parts are consider a suppressor? I’m sure that the tube and baffles are considered a suppressor, but what I am wondering is even though suppressors are illegal in Minnesota, are the mounts i.e. - the recoil piston, barrel mount, recoil booster (Nielsen device)?

Here are some sites if you don’t know what I am talking about:

http://www.gem-tech.com/store/pc/L-I-D-Linear-Inertial-Decoupler-8p96.htm

http://www.gem-tech.com/store/pc/Piston-for-MM9-or-TUNDRA-LID-8p108.htm

http://www.superiorsilence.com/collections/shop-swr/products/lcd

I contacted both SWR and Gemtech. SWR said that the pistons and LCD are considered mounts. That really doesn’t tell me anything.

Gemtech said that it was my responsibility to find out if it is legal or not and that they will not be held legally responsible if it is not. Also this doesn’t really tell me anything.

I also looked at the NFA site and it is not specific enough about what parts are considered suppressors.

Any ideas or knowledge to pass on? i'm considering contacting the ATF directly at this point.

Answer 1

Even though it is technically incorrect, the legal term is "silencer".



Look here in 97B.031: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=97B&view=chapter&year=2012&keyword_type=all&keyword=silencer#stat.97B.031

It's not much. I think you will have to look at the NFA definition of "silencer": http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/importation-verification/firearms-verification-nfa-silencer.html



"18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(24) The terms ‘‘firearm silencer’’ and ‘‘firearm

muffler’’ mean any device for silencing, muffling,

or diminishing the report of a portable

firearm, including any combination of parts, designed

or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling

or fabricating a firearm silencer or

firearm muffler, and any part intended only for

use in such assembly or fabrication."



I would assume that MN law enforcement AND the BATFE will consider ANY parts that are uniquely designed for constructing or mounting a silencer, to be considered possession of a silencer. With the parts you mentioned, the gov might loose in a court of law since they are not directly silencers, but that doesn't mean they may not take it to trial anyway.

Answer 2

The text prohibiting silencers can be found under 97B.031, Subdivision 4.



"Subd. 4.Silencers prohibited. Except as provided in section 609.66, subdivision 1h, a person may not own or possess a silencer for a firearm or a firearm equipped to have a silencer attached."



That's a little un-nerving and it paints a pretty broad swathe... Does that mean that any firearm with a threaded muzzle is illegal in Minnesota?



In any event, I think you would be teasing the tiger by owning anything related to equipping your firearm with a silencer. Best forget about it until the laws change.



EDIT: Suppressors are now legal in Minnesota IF you are military or a LEO or if you are an FFL who keeps suppressors in your inventory to sell to military or LEOs. Not really that legal for Joe Citizen.

Answer 3

They are currently illegal but there s legislation in place to change the law. It s already passed the MN house and is waiting on voting in the MN Senate. Use this site to find out who represents you in the state of MN: http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/



Also, contact the Governor who might veto it, despite the redundancy of the MN law with what exists on a federal level. Be respectful and ask them to vote YES for SF-1435

See the status of the bill here:

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=SF1435&y=2015&ssn=0&b=senate

Answer 4

Any device that you mount to the end of the barrel and lessens the sound is a suppressor. If you screw or otherwise mount something on the end of the barrel and it does not decrease the sound level, it is not a suppressor.

Answer 5

Call your State police and find out I'm sure they can tell you the exact the verbiage, statue or law number counting on internet guesses is a sure way to get arrested and maybe get your guns confiscated.

Answer 6

From what I'm reading suppressors are now sort of legal in Minnesota.

Answer 7

Spend a little money and ask a lawyer. The cops are the last people whom you should ask about the esoterica of firearms law.