Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. - Conceal-Carry Lawsuits

Hennepin County Case: In May 2003, the Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota and twelve congregations filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County alleging that the conceal-carry law infringes upon their religious freedom in violation of the Minnesota Constitution.

Ramsey County Case: In October 2003, 23 congregations, 3 denominations, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet joined a lawsuit in Ramsey County, alleging that the conceal-carry law violates several Constitutional provisions, including freedom of religion.

Second Hennepin County Case: In July 2005, the lead plaintiffs from the previous two lawsuits filed a lawsuit in Hennepin County alleging that the conceal-carry law infringes upon their religious freedom in violation of the Minnesota Constitution, the U.S. Constitution, and federal law. On May 1, 2008, completing five years of repeated litigation victories for religious institutions, the lawsuits regarding the so-called firearms “Conceal & Carry Law” came to an end. The Minnesota Supreme Court denied the Attorney General’s request to review the unanimous Court of Appeals decision that declared provisions of the law unconstitutional as violating religious freedom.

Hennepin County Case

Case Status

Temporary injunction ordered by District Court after favorable decision from Court of Appeals. The case was dismissed voluntarily when the Minnesota Legislature repassed the law.

Parties Involved in Lawsuit & Other Supporters

Who to Contact for More Information

David Lillehaug
dlillehaug@fredlaw.com
612.492.7321

Documents

Order of Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum on temporary injunction
March 16, 2004

Court of Appeals Decision
January 13, 2004

Press Release: Congregations Win Conceal & Carry Appeal
January 13, 2004

Religious Institutions' Appellate Reply Brief
August 28, 2003

State of Minnesota's Appellate Brief
August 15, 2003

Religious Institutions' Appellate Brief
July 16, 2003

Press release: Judge Rosenbaum grants, in part, the motion of Edina Community Lutheran Church for at temporary injunction
June 6, 2003

Order of Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum on temporary injunction
June 6, 2003

Hennepin County First Amended Complaint
May 27, 2003

Ramsey County Case

Case Status

Summary judgment declaring the law unconstitutional. Affirmed by the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The State's petition to the Supreme Court for review was denied when the Minnesota Legislature repassed the law.

Parties Involved in Lawsuit

Who to Contact for More Information

David Lillehaug
dlillehaug@fredlaw.com
612.492.7321

Documents

Court of Appeals' decision, on April 12, 2005
April 12, 2005

Judge Finley's decision, on August 23, 2004, Denying the State's Motion for a Stay
August 23, 2004

Judge Finley's decision, on July 13, 2004, declaring the Conceal & Carry Law unconstitutional and enjoining the State from enforcing it
July 13, 2004

Memorandum in Support of Religious Intervenors' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Counts Six and Five
May 28, 2004

Memorandum of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Eckankar in Support of Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Count One
May 28, 2004

Press Release: Motion Seeks to Overturn Entire Conceal & Carry Law; Hearing Set for June 3
April 29, 2004

Press Release: Author of Conceal Carry Law Refuses to Produce Documents
and Testify
February 24, 2004

Press Release: With Support of Bishops, Catholic Parishes Intervene in Lawsuit Against Conceal & Carry Law
January 26, 2004

Religious Intervenors' First Amended Complaint
December 17 , 2003

Order of Judge John Finley on venue
November 25, 2003

City of Minneapolis Intervenor's Complaint
November 20, 2003

Religious Institutions' Complaint in Intervention
October 7, 2003

Press release: New Lawsuit Seeks To Overturn Entire Conceal-Carry Law
October 7, 2003

Second Hennepin County Case

Case Status

Case challenges the 2005 retroactive reenactment of the conceal-carry law as applied to religious institutions. On May 1, 2008, completing five years of repeated litigation victories for religious institutions, the lawsuits regarding the so-called firearms “Conceal & Carry Law” came to an end. The Minnesota Supreme Court denied the Attorney General’s request to review the unanimous Court of Appeals decision that declared provisions of the law unconstitutional as violating religious freedom.

Parties Involved in Lawsuit & Other Supporters