Despite the Minnesota Supreme Court containing only Democrat-appointed Justices, a majority of Justices voted to protect gun rights in a ruling on Wednesday, August 6th. This decision was 4-2 with Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and former Tim Walz legal counsel Justice Karl Procaccini and the two dissenting votes and Justice Theodora K. Gaïtas did not participate in the case or vote.

The Supreme Court Opinion for the Minnesota v. Vagle case (case #: A23-0863) written by former MN Speaker of the House Justice Paul Thissen reversed a Court of Appeals ruling that improperly used MN Statute 609.667(subd. 3) to criminally prosecute individuals for possessing firearms that never had a serial number. Leftists prosecutors across MN, led by Socialist Attorney General ANTIFA Keith Ellison, have misused MN Statute 609.667 by disregarding the federal law cited within the statute. In doing so, they have considered anything from 3D printed guns to vintage firearms that pre-date serial number requirements.

This case win was celebrated by Minneapolis criminal defense attorney Thomas Gallagher who celebrated the decision on his website. In short, Gallagher also points to differences between NFA (National Firearms Act) and non-NFA firearms as a contribution toward their legal victory. The Supreme Court Opinion also lays out the legislative intent for this law, which was put into effect in 1994, and how the intent was not to criminalize gun possession of firearms that do not require serial numbers under federal law. On the other hand, ANTIFA Keith called the ruling concerning and admitted there was a “gap in state law”. That gap means that the law did not allow for the prosecutions he pushed.

This surprise decision comes as Minnesotans and Americans often see ‘Activist Judges’ who seek to diminish the Constitution and rule of law using ideological and political motives. Law should be applied plainly and must be adherent to the U.S. and MN Constitutions. This win signifies that far left elements of the Democrats like Keith Ellison have stepped too far out of line for regular establishment Democrats. 

Another case (case #: 71-CR-22-923), in May 2022, a law-abiding then 22 year old named Matthew Walker Anderson was labeled a felon by prosecutors because he owned two rifles without serial numbers and was charged under the same statute the Supreme Court ruled on (609.667 subd. 3). His case is ongoing and he has refused plea deals. The Supreme Court decision sets an immediate precedent for all lower courts and should result in Anderson being cleared of his charge. Anderson’s mother has appeared on the Truth Hurts show twice to discuss the case and the recent Supreme Court victory. 

In Anderson’s case, he was charged in Sherburne County, highlighting that gun rights aren’t even safe in Republican areas sometimes. These charges have been supported by the Prosecutor's office and the Sheriff’s office in Sherburne County. The County Attorney where the charges originated, Kathleen Heaney, resigned earlier this year and the Commissioners appointed assistant county attorney Dawn Nyhus to replace her. At any time, Heaney or Nyhus could have stopped the misapplication statute and federal law and to drop Anderson of his charges but they failed to do so. Jennifer Lynn Clements is the lead prosecuting attorney according to court records. Sherburne County Sheriff, Joel Brott, also failed taken action to stop the weaponization of law despite previously speaking out against gun control. Sherburne County citizens should be looking more closely at the individuals they are electing to local office without competition.

Anderson is scheduled to have a pre-trial hearing on 11/12/25. The Sherburne County District Judge, Tim Walz appointee Judge Kristi D. Stanislawski, should take immediate action to dismiss the case and apologize to Anderson for the government falsely weaponizing the law against him.

Constitutionalists must stay vigilant as Democrats are seeing this as a renewed push for gun control. Two leftist Judges on the MN Supreme Court were bending the law in their dissenting Opinions, showing how two members of our state’s highest courts would criminalize gun ownership. 

Senate Democrat Ron Latz (SD46) has begun telling the media that the Supreme Court ruling was a mistake and that he will be fighting to change the law. With the state House likely to return to a 67-67 tie following the special election, Republicans must hold strong and refuse to pass ANY gun control. While GOP Rep. Paul Novotny (30B) said criminalizing “otherwise law-abiding gun owners is a non-starter”, he did not outright say that he would fight against any gun control and said he expects this topic to be discussed in the upcoming legislative session.

Action 4 Liberty will never waver on Constitutional principles and will defend Patriots’ 2nd Amendment Right to bear arms. The protection of our God-given liberties cannot be sacrificed. We will continue to champion our mission to protect liberty for the next generation and celebrate the Supreme Court victory!