Beginning September 1, 2026, firearms and other weapons will be prohibited in court-occupied areas and other facilities used for official court business throughout Minnesota under a new order signed by Chief Justice Natalie E. Hudson.
The order expands a weapons prohibition that has been in place since 2003 at the Minnesota Judicial Center and in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol. The expanded policy applies to court-occupied areas in county government buildings and other facilities used for the official business of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and district courts statewide.
The prohibition applies to everyone entering court-occupied areas, including individuals with a permit to carry a firearm.
Limited exceptions apply to licensed peace officers and federally authorized law enforcement agents who are present in the course of their official duties and authorized by law to carry weapons. The order also provides an exception for firearms or other weapons introduced as evidence during a trial or evidentiary hearing, subject to applicable advance-notice requirements and safety guidelines.
Chief judges may prohibit firearms and other weapons in additional areas of a building or complex when needed to protect the safety and security of areas where official court business is conducted.
Individuals entering court-occupied areas may be subject to weapons screening. Anyone who refuses to submit to required screening may be denied admission.
The statewide policy is part of the Judicial Branch’s ongoing efforts to strengthen safety and security in Minnesota’s courts.
“The safety and security of the people who work in and use Minnesota’s courts is one of our highest priorities,” Chief Justice Hudson said. “We have seen growing threats to the safety and security of judges and court employees, and those threats require us to continually evaluate the steps we can take to protect the people who administer justice and the Minnesotans who rely on our courts.”
The new statewide weapons policy takes effect September 1, 2026.