Permitted and trained school staff carrying of firearms authorization
Summary
SF 713 would create a new framework allowing certain school and postsecondary employees in Minnesota to carry firearms on school property if they are both trained and legally permitted to carry. 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 focused on active shooter situations. To qualify, a teacher or employee must have completed permit-to-carry training within the prior year or already hold a permit to carry.
The bill also creates a new “school permit to carry” for teachers and employees of public elementary, middle, and secondary schools, charter schools, and postsecondary institutions. Sheriffs would be required to issue this permit to eligible applicants who meet training, background check, and application requirements, and the permit would be valid for one year. The bill further exempts these authorized school employees from the general prohibition on firearms on school property and limits school districts and similar entities from adopting firearm rules that conflict with the bill’s provisions.
Impact
This bill would amend Minnesota’s school-weapon and permit-to-carry laws by carving out a new exception to the criminal prohibition on possessing firearms on school property and by adding a new category of carry authorization for school employees. It would also require the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and county sheriffs to administer training and permitting processes, create standardized application and permit forms, and establish related fees and renewal procedures. In practical terms, it would affect public elementary and secondary schools, charter schools, postsecondary institutions, school districts, sheriffs, and school employees who seek to carry firearms under the new authorization.
Sentiment
Based on the bill title and text, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety response to active shooter threats and as a way to allow trained staff to defend themselves and others. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or vote history to indicate broader support or opposition. The bill’s structure suggests a strong policy preference among its authors for armed staff as a safety measure, but the available record does not show how other legislators or stakeholders reacted.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the proposal to allow firearms on school property, which directly conflicts with Minnesota’s general ban on weapons in schools. Supporters would likely emphasize training, permit requirements, and the limited class of eligible employees, while opponents would likely raise concerns about student safety, accidental discharge, escalation during emergencies, and whether school staff should be armed at all. Another likely issue is the bill’s restriction on local school district firearm policies, which limits local control and could be controversial for school administrators and boards.
Circumstances when firearms are permitted on school property modified, and uniform storage requirements for firearms permitted on school property established.