FACT

SHEET: HF3959 / SF3589 REAL ID Implementation & Gun Owner Privacy

89th Legislature 2015 - 2016

Overview
HF3959 and SF3589 are proposed bills to implement the REAL ID standard for Minnesota
Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards. REAL ID, enacted by Congress in May 2005, sets
standards for state issued identification that will be accepted by the federal government for
official purposes, such as air travel. Currently, Minnesota is not compliant with the REAL ID
requirements.

Impact of Real ID on Privacy of Gun Owners
While there are many valid privacy concerns with REAL ID, the REAL ID law at a federal or state
level (as proposed) does not involve any sharing of gun owner or gun purchase information.

The REAL ID requirements, set within the statute by Congress and within regulation by the
United States Department of Homeland Security, require a number of forms of documentation
before a license or identification card can be issued.

These documentation requirements include:
A photo ID or non-photo ID that shows a full legal name and birthdate
Documentation of birth date
Documentation of legal status and Social Security Number
Documentation showing name and principal residence address

Documentation is not required to be produced related to a Permit to Carry, a Permit to
Purchase, previous firearm purchases, ammunition purchases, or current ownership of
firearms. In fact, there is absolutely no mention of firearms, firearm purchases, or firearms
ownership in the REAL ID act, or in the House & Senate file in Minnesota for REAL ID
implementation.

Under existing Minnesota law, data related to gun ownership and permits is private and will not
be shared as a part of a REAL ID implementation (see statutory details later in this fact sheet)

PO Box 131718 Saint Paul, MN 55113-0015 | +1-612-424-4032 | contact@gunowners.mn



Position of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is neutral on the REAL ID implementation bills.

We will, however, support any amendments to codify additional privacy protections for gun
owners. We would score any such amendment vote for our legislative scorecard and election
grading.

Suggested Amendment to codify additional privacy protections for gun owners
We would suggest amending the proposed legislation to codify additional privacy
protections for gun owners, prohibiting the Commissioner of Public Safety explicitly
from transmitting or sharing any information about gun ownership, transfer of firearms,
firearms safety designations, or permits to carry/purchase.



Reference Material

Existing Minnesota law secures data related to gun ownership
All data pertaining to the purchase or transfer of firearms and applications for permits
to carry firearms are private under MN 13.02, subdivision 12 (MN 13.87)
County Sheriffs must delete most data related to permits to carry once a permit expires
or is no longer valid (MN 624.714, Subd. 14.)
An automated database of persons authorized to carry pistols under MN 624.714 is
maintained by the Commissioner of Public Safety. This data is only available to
Minnesota law enforcement agencies, including prosecutors carrying out their duties
under MN 624.714, Subd. 8a. This data is not shared with other Minnesota or federal
government entities. (MN 624.714 Subd. 15.).

Existing Minnesota law provides for a hunter safety designation on the MN Drivers License
Minnesota law requires a hunter safety course to be completed by anyone born after
December 31st, 1979 in order to hunt within the state. (MN 97B.020)
This designation can be placed on a drivers record, and their drivers license. (MN
171.07, Subd. 13)

PO Box 131718 Saint Paul, MN 55113-0015 | +1-612-424-4032 | contact@gunowners.mn