Minnesota's Supreme Court overturns felony conviction, rules that BB gun is not a firearm

The Minnesota Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a felon sentenced to five years in prison for the possession of a small BB gun, ruling Wednesday that the air-powered weapon is not a firearm.

Though the decision vacates the conviction upheld by the Minnesota Court of Appeals, it is not broad-sweeping. The ruling only covers Minnesota’s felon-in-possession statues, not someone who chooses to actually fire it.

Since 1977, the state’s two appellate courts have repeatedly agreed with the Legislature that a BB gun is a firearm when involved in various crimes, such as drive-by shootings.

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-s-supreme-court-overturns-felony-conviction-rules-that-bb-gun-is-not-a-firearm/397667361/