Minnesota State Rep. Chris Swedzinski of Ghent, and Sen. Jeff Howe of Rockville, are authoring legislation to eliminate the shotgun-only zone during the regular firearms seasons in Minnesota.

An exception is made to allow local government units to prohibit the use of rifles on property under their jurisdiction during special deer hunts.

Swedzinski said the objective was to simply allow people to add a few inches of barrel when hunting, which would increase the ease of firearm use for youth.

Swedzinski added the proposal also would benefit hunters by simplifying the rules, applying the same standards found elsewhere in our state to the southwest region.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association’s membership voted to support legislation that would remove the shotgun-only zone in Minnesota last season.