Rock County Commissioners
review firearm ordinance
COUNTY OF ROCK
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Resolution No. 05-26
AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FIREARM USE FOR DEER HUNTING
Whereas the Rock County Commissioners are charged with protecting the public health and safety and wish to exercise such authority by regulating the use of firearms within Rock County for deer hunting after conducting public listening sessions and considering comments received and other factors, and
Whereas, The Minnesota Legislature specifically provided a means for Counties in the former shotgun only zone to do so, and
Whereas Minnesota Statutes §97B.031 Subd. provides the mechanism for Counties such as Rock County that were formerly in the Shotgun zone to maintain such restrictions.
NOW THEREFORE, THE ROCK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY ORDAINS
AND AMENDS THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER AS
FOLLOWS:
CHAPTER 131 REGULATING THE USE OF CERTAIN FIREARMS FOR DEER HUNTING
SECTION 131.01. TITLE
This Chapter shall be known and referenced as the Shotgun Deer Hunting Zone
Ordinance.
SECTION 131.02. DEFINITIONS
1. Legal Firearm for Deer Hunting Purposes: A legal shotgun loaded with single projectile slug cartridges, a legal muzzle-loading long gun under DNR regulations or legal handguns under DNR regulations for the taking of deer.
SECTION 131.03. JURISDICTION
This Ordinance shall be applicable within the legal boundaries of Rock County without regard to any deer zones established for permitting purposes by the DNR.
SECTION 131.04. PROHIBITED ACTS
It shall be unlawful for any person hunting or taking deer to use a firearm other than those defined herein as a legal firearm for deer hunting purposes.
SECTION 131.05. VIOLATION A MISDEMEANOR
Subd. 1. Criminal Penalty. A violation of this ordinance shall be a misdemeanor
having a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a $1000 fine.
SECTION 131.06 ENFORCEMENT
The Rock County Sheriff's Office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers shall each have the independent authority to enforce provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 131.07. SEVERABILITY
If any section or provision of this ordinance is held invalid, such invalidity will not affect other sections or provisions that can be given force and effect without the invalidated section or provision.
SECTION 131.08. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and publication as required by law and shall remain in effect perpetually.
ADOPTED by the Rock County Board of Commissioners this 17th day of February, 2026.
/s/ Stan Williamson
Stan Williamson,
Rock County Board Chair
Attest: /s/ Kyle J. Oldre
Kyle J. Oldre, Rock County Administrator
(02-26)
