1.2relating to game and fish; exempting military personnel and veterans from
1.3firearms safety certificate requirement;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010,
1.4sections 97B.015, subdivision 5a; 97B.020.
1.5BE 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
1.7read:
1.8    Subd. 5a. Exemption for military personnel and veterans. Notwithstanding
1.9subdivision 5, a person who has successfully completed basic training in the United States
1.10armed forces is exempt from the range and shooting exercise portion of the required
1.11course of instruction for the firearms safety certificate shall be issued a firearms safety
1.12certificate. The commissioner may require written proof of the person's military training,
1.13as deemed appropriate for implementing this subdivision. The commissioner shall
1.14publicly announce this exemption from the range and shooting exercise requirement and
1.15the availability of the department's online, remote study option for adults seeking firearms
1.16safety certification. Military personnel are not exempt from any other requirement of this
1.17section for obtaining a firearms safety certificate.

1.18    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 97B.020, is amended to read:
1.1997B.020 FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
1.20    (a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivision 3a, a person
1.21born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by
1.22firearms 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
2.2indicator 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
2.6state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or
2.7certified by the department as substantially similar.
2.8    (b) A person who is on active duty and has successfully completed basic training
2.9in the United States armed forces, reserve component, or National Guard may obtain a
2.10hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether the person is issued
2.11a firearms safety certificate.
2.12    (c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take
2.13wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual
2.14license under paragraph (a) or (b).