A recent letter to the editor of Outdoor News from me:

In last weeks edition of Outdoor News, Shawn Perich voiced his misguided opinion on the proposed legislation regarding the casing of long guns (HF0128).  Mr. Perich begins by saying:

"Imagine seeing someone driving a pickup with an uncased military-style rifle in the gun rack. Such a scenario could occur in Minneapolis or Moorhead if a bill allowing uncased rifles, shotguns and bows in motor vehicles during the hunting season passes."

Huh?  The revised bill coming out of committee clearly states:

2.10    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 97B.045, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.11    Subdivision 1. Restrictions. (a) A person may not transport a an uncased, unloaded

2.12    firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is:
2.13    (1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case
2.14    fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened,
2.15    and without any portion of the firearm exposed; restricted under section 97A.091,

2.16    97B.081, or 97B.086; or
2.17    (2) unloaded and in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle; or
2.18    (3) a handgun carried in compliance with sections
624.714 and

624.715. (2) within
2.19    the boundaries of a home rule charter or statutory city, including a city of the first class,
2.20    county, town, municipal corporation, or other government subdivision that has prohibited
2.21    the discharge of a firearm under section 471.633, in which case a firearm must be unloaded

2.22    and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case must fully enclose the
2.23    firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and without any
2.24    portion of the firearm exposed.

Meaning long guns must still be cased when transporting through a city which prohibits the discharge of a firearm.  The example Mr. Perich gives is not legal now nor would it be under the proposed legislation.  The bill also says nothing about transport during hunting season.  It must be easier to argue against a bill when your arguments are completely made up.