Minnesota Senate Bill SF399

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/21/25

Caption

Permitted and trained school staff permission to carry firearms

Summary

SF399 would create a new framework allowing certain school and postsecondary institution teachers and employees to carry firearms on school property if they are already permit-to-carry holders and complete a new state training program focused on active shooter response. The bill directs the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to establish and offer, at least annually and at no cost to eligible public-school and postsecondary employees, a firearm training program developed with security and law enforcement experts. Only teachers and employees who have completed permit-to-carry training within the prior year or already hold a permit would be eligible to attend. The bill also creates a new “school permit to carry” for eligible school and postsecondary employees, administered by county sheriffs, with background checks, standardized application requirements, and a one-year expiration period. In addition, it amends Minnesota’s school-weapon prohibition law to exempt teachers and employees who qualify under the new school permit system, and it limits school districts and similar entities from adopting firearm rules that conflict with the new law. The bill further clarifies that employers and public colleges may not use their general firearm policies to bar these authorized school employees from carrying under the new exception.

Impact

SF399 would significantly amend Minnesota’s firearms and school-safety statutes, especially Minnesota Statutes sections 609.66 and 624.714, and would add a new chapter 299C training program. It would create a legal pathway for certain school staff to carry firearms on school property, where possession is otherwise generally a felony or misdemeanor depending on the weapon and circumstances. The bill would also impose new administrative duties on the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, county sheriffs, and the commissioner responsible for permit standards, while narrowing the ability of school districts, employers, and public postsecondary institutions to restrict firearms for the covered employees.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears strongly supportive of armed school staff as a public-safety response to active shooter threats. The bill’s structure emphasizes training, screening, and limited eligibility, suggesting proponents are framing it as a controlled safety measure rather than a broad expansion of firearm access. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no documented recorded debate or formal vote sentiment in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the policy choice to allow firearms in schools at all, which would conflict with Minnesota’s existing general prohibition on weapons on school property. Supporters would likely argue that trained, permit-holding staff could improve response time during an active shooter event, while opponents would likely raise concerns about accidental discharge, escalation, liability, and the presence of more firearms in schools. The bill also appears to limit local control by preventing school districts and related entities from adopting inconsistent firearm restrictions, which could be another source of opposition from school administrators, educators, and local policymakers.