Overview

• In a 4-2 decision, justices reversed Logan Vagle’s felony conviction for possessing a ghost gun without a serial number
• Justice Paul Thissen’s majority opinion held that Minnesota’s 1994 statute relies on federal serial-number requirements and federal law does not mandate a serial number on privately made firearms
• Chief Justice Natalie Hudson dissented, arguing the statute clearly prohibits possession of any firearm without a serial number regardless of federal regulations
• The court remanded Vagle’s separate charge for carrying a pistol without a permit back to Anoka County district court for further proceedings
• Justices highlighted the absence of explicit state ghost-gun rules and directed the Legislature to establish clear serial-number mandates