Overview

• The court held that Minnesota’s statute only applies to firearms federally required to bear serial numbers, exempting most privately made ghost guns.
• The ruling split 4-2 with Justices Thissen, McKeig, Moore and Hennesy in the majority, Chief Justice Hudson and Justice Procaccini dissenting, and Justice Gaïtas recused.
• The case originated from a 2022 Fridley rollover crash when a state trooper discovered a privately built 9mm Glock without a serial number and the driver was charged under state law.
• In dissent, Chief Justice Hudson warned that the ruling creates gaps in enforcement and firearm traceability by excluding unserialized weapons.
• Lawmakers considered a ghost-gun ban in 2023 but declined to act, and the court emphasized that legislative clarity is needed to regulate ghost guns.