ST. PAUL, MN — August 12, 2025 — The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that most homemade firearms, commonly known as “ghost guns,” are legal under current state law. The decision, delivered on August 6, has profound implications for gun regulation in Minnesota and is expected to trigger a renewed legislative effort next year to address this growing legal gap.
Background: The Case That Sparked Debate
The case originated in February 2022 when law enforcement officers discovered an unserialized, self-assembled Glock 19 handgun in the possession of Logan Hunter Vagle during a traffic incident in Fridley. Vagle was charged with felony possession of an unserialized firearm under Minnesota Statute § 609.667(3), which criminalizes possession of firearms without serial numbers or other identifying marks.
While the charge was initially dismissed by a district court, the state appealed, and the Minnesota Court of Appeals reinstated it. Ultimately, the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts’ rulings in a 4-2 decision, clarifying the interpretation of Minnesota’s gun serialization laws.
The Supreme Court’s Rationale
Writing for the majority, Justice Paul Thissen concluded that Minnesota’s law applies only when federal regulations require firearms to bear serial numbers. Since federal law does not generally mandate serialization for firearms assembled privately—commonly known as ghost guns—these weapons fall outside the scope of the state statute.
“The Legislature is the proper body to address the complexities of ghost gun regulation,” Thissen wrote. The court’s ruling effectively means that possession of homemade firearms lacking serial numbers is not a crime under current Minnesota law unless federal law requires it.
Dissenting Voices
Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and Justice Karl Procaccini dissented, arguing that the statute’s reference to “other identification” beyond serial numbers should criminalize possession of any firearm lacking identifying marks. They maintained that the statute’s language was clear and should not be limited by federal law.
Implications for Law Enforcement and Policy
The ruling creates immediate challenges for prosecutors and law enforcement agencies, who can no longer rely on state law to charge individuals possessing unserialized homemade guns. This gap is likely to persist until the Legislature acts.
State Senator Ron Latz (DFL–St. Louis Park), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has vowed to introduce legislation in the 2026 session aimed at requiring serial numbers on all ghost guns. “This ruling highlights the urgent need to modernize our laws to keep pace with evolving firearms technology and ensure public safety,” Latz said.
Broader Context: Ghost Guns Nationwide
Minnesota’s ruling places it among several states without explicit laws requiring serialization of homemade firearms. According to advocacy groups and legal experts, at least 15 states have enacted laws addressing ghost guns, mandating serial numbers or registration to help trace firearms involved in crimes.
At the federal level, recent regulations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) require licensed dealers to serialize ghost guns entering the commercial market. However, homemade guns built privately remain largely unregulated, creating enforcement challenges nationwide.
The Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over ghost gun regulation. With public safety advocates and lawmakers now focused on legislative remedies, 2026 promises to be a critical year for Minnesota’s firearms policy.
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