Minnesota's limited firearms use changes



 

 

Dear Representatives,

 

I am sending this email in regards to changing regulation in regards to Minnesota’s current “shotgun zone”. please take a couple minutes to read through and consider a sponsor. I have currently been in contact with my Rep, Dean Urdahl about this issue. I have changed the language in the above attachments to indicate change, based on Michigans new Law. Blue indicated removal and Red is addition. ~ Ben Smith

 

The era of the classic shotgun is over, smooth bore barrels at 50 yards with iron sights is a thing of the past. Over the last 3 years several states including, Indiana and Ohio have passed legislation to include straight walled cartridges to be used in limited firearms zones. Ballistics for straight walled cartridges are similar to muzzle loaders and shotguns. With the advancement of muzzle loaders and shotguns over the last 20 years, its high time our grand fathers lever actions and cowboy guns are included in this list.

Every one of you either hunts or has family members who do, please take time to seek their opinion on this.

 

Sabot slugs have reached nearly $5 a round. I have 6 boys, this makes slug hunting extremely expensive. We would love to be able to use a lever action .44 magnum for deer hunting. With similar ballistics to a .20ga, ammo is closer to $1 a round instead of $4 a round, making deer hunting an economical venture.

 

The following list is similar cartridges approved in Ohio. Haven’t heard of some of them? Me neither! Some of this list, including the .45 ACP are not legal under Minnesota Law. We are not looking to change that. This merely an example of what is legal in OHIO......

 

 

357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, .38 Special, .375 Super Magnum, .375 Winchester, .38-55, .41 Long Colt, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .444 Marlin, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, .45 Long Colt, .45 Winchester Magnum, .45 Smith & Wesson, .454 Cassull, .460 Smith & Wesson, .45-70, .45-90, .45-110, .475 Linebaugh, .50-70, .50-90, .50-100, .50-110 and .500 Smith & Wesson.

The following links below are a couple articles pertaining to this issue.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/the-gun-nuts/gunfight-friday-straight-wall-deer-rifles

http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/story/sports/local/beyond-the-scores/2014/11/22/ballistic-impact-will-new-law-impact-gun-season/19409227/

As a final note, to the every day guy living in shotgun zone, this is a BIG DEAL. it gives a multiple avenues for deer hunting. Minnesota has the second highest population of hunters in the nation! I have asked Rep. Urdahl to champion these changes. If anyone else would care to co sponsor, please talk to him! Regards, Ben Smith

 

 

Sec. 40.

[97B.318] ARMS USE AREAS AND RESTRICTIONS; REGULAR FIREARMS SEASON.

Subdivision 1.

Shotgun use area.

 

 

During the regular firearms season in the shotgun use area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, and legal handguns may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels. The shotgun use area is that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at U.S. Highway 10; thence along U.S. Highway 10 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 (I-94); thence along I-94 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.

 Subdivision 1.

Limited Firearms Area.

 

 

During the regular firearms season in the limited firearms area, only legal shotguns loaded with single-slug shotgun shells, legal muzzle-loading long guns, legal handguns, .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 2.110 inches, may be used for taking deer. Legal shotguns include those with rifled barrels. The limited firearms area, is that portion of the state lying within the following described boundary: Beginning on the west boundary of the state at the northern boundary of Clay County; thence along the northern boundary of Clay County to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32; thence along STH 32 to STH 34; thence along STH 34 to Interstate Highway 94 (I-94); thence along I-94 to County State-Aid Highway (CSAH) 40, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 40 to CSAH 82, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 82 to CSAH 22, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 22 to CSAH 6, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 6 to CSAH 14, Douglas County; thence along CSAH 14 to STH 29; thence along STH 29 to CSAH 46, Otter Tail County; thence along CSAH 46, Otter Tail County, to CSAH 22, Todd County; thence along CSAH 22 to U.S. Highway 71; thence along U.S. Highway 71 to STH 27; thence along STH 27 to the Mississippi River; thence along the east bank of the Mississippi River to STH 23; thence along STH 23 to STH 95; thence along STH 95 to U.S. Highway 8; thence along U.S. Highway 8 to the eastern boundary of the state; thence along the east, south, and west boundaries of the state to the point of beginning.