Safe-storage bill splits advocates and principals as committee removes principal discretion for permit-to-carry holders

Senator Swazinski introduced Senate File 3572, which would clarify secure-storage requirements for firearms kept in motor vehicles on school property and would remove a statutory provision that lets a school principal authorize a Minnesota permit-to-carry holder to possess a firearm on K
2 property with written permission.

Student testifier Aditi Jha said gun violence and lockdowns harm students' learning and mental health and urged adoption of safe-storage requirements. "Safe storage isn't about taking away that ability, rather about making sure that that responsibility continues when firearms are not in use," she said.

Roger Aronson, representing Minnesota's elementary and secondary principals, said principals often decline to exercise authorization powers and welcomed removing that responsibility from statute because it creates inconsistent expectations and potential liability for principals. "We actually had a discussion ... our secondary principals said they never grant that authority," Aronson said.

Anna Leamy (identified as director of government relations and advocacy for the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus) urged a no vote, warning the bill would remove a local discretion used by some schools to authorize vetted, trained adults on a case-by-case basis. "This provision is not a loophole. It is not unregulated, and it is not reckless," she said.

Committee members asked for clarity around exceptions for on-duty and off-duty law enforcement, private schools and activities such as marksmanship or clay-pigeon events tied to Minnesota High School League rules. The principals' association and sheriff's association were described as seeking statewide consistency.

After questions and debate, a roll call was requested and taken; the committee's record was corrected on the floor to show a 7-4 vote in favor and the bill was sent to the Committee on Finance.