For decades, hunters in southern Minnesota have been restricted from using rifles to hunt deer. This rule — a relic from the 1940s — is outdated and out of step with modern safety data and hunting practices.
This year, I have once again introduced a bill that will finally help us end the shotgun-only hunting zone, bringing southern Minnesota in line with the rest of the state and the nation. The proposal allows county boards to adopt an ordinance, good for one year, to decide what types of firearms can be used for hunting in their counties. It received a hearing in the Senate’s environment committee on January 24.
Last year, the Senate passed a similar measure with bipartisan support. Unfortunately, it was stripped out at the last minute during negotiations. This session, we have a chance to correct that mistake and finally remove this outdated law.
Let’s be clear: rifles are safer than shotguns. A Pennsylvania study found that modern shotguns with saboted slugs have a larger danger area than rifles, meaning they pose a greater risk under normal hunting conditions. Wisconsin, which legalized rifles statewide in 2013, now has the lowest hunting incident rates in its history. And while only a fraction of hunters in Wisconsin use shotguns, they account for a disproportionate number of accidents. The data doesn’t lie: rifles reduce risk.
My preference would be to fully and immediately repeal the shotgun-only zone, but this bill is represents a reasonable first step and a compromise with those who still have concerns, misplaced though they may be.
The shotgun-only zone may have had its place in the past. In 2025, however, we have mountains of evidence and data telling us that rifle-hunting is the safer option. At a minimum, hunters should have the choice about what firearm they want to use.
I’m optimistic this is the year we get it done.