proposing an amendment to the Minn Constitution, right to bear arms.

[JohnWester]

new bill in the house that was introduced this session.  Kind of reinforces what we thought it allready was IMHO.

H.F. No. 775,  as introduced - 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)   Posted on Feb 07, 2007
1.1A bill for an act
1.2proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article I; providing
1.3that the right of citizens to keep, bear, and use arms for certain purposes is
1.4fundamental and shall not be infringed.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6    Section 1. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED.
1.7An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people. If the
1.8amendment is adopted, a section shall be added to article I, to read:
1.9Sec. 18.The right of a citizen to keep, bear, and use arms for the defense and security
1.10of the person, family, or home, or for lawful hunting, recreation, or marksmanship training
1.11is fundamental and shall not be infringed.

1.12    Sec. 2. SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.
1.13The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2008 general
1.14election. The question submitted must be:
1.15"Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that the right of a citizen
1.16to keep, bear, and use arms for the defense and security of the person, family, or home,
1.17or for lawful hunting, recreation, or marksmanship training is fundamental and shall not
1.18be infringed?
1.19
   Yes .......
1.20
   No ......."

[kayaker]

The wording they use to write these amendments up makes them very hard to understand unless your a lawyer. From my understanding, what they are trying to do is make it legal in minn. to use force to defend property. The way the law is now in this state, you can not use force to defend property. Some people think that if someone kicks your door in and enters your house, they have the right to shoot. THIS IS NOT TRUE. The way the law is now, you cannot use force unless you PERCEIVE that there is an IMMINENT THREAT of receiving GREAT BODILY HARM. You would have to convince a jury of this. This leaves a lot of gray areas in the law. I am an instructor of Minn. Permit to carry handgun class.