Subd. 1. Firearms and ammunition that may be used to take big game.

1. (a) A person may take big game with a firearm only if:

   1. (1) the rifle, shotgun, and handgun used is a caliber of at least .23 inches;
   2. (2) the firearm is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;
   3. (3) a projectile used is a caliber of at least .23 inches and has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;
   4. (4) the ammunition has a case length of at least 1.285 inches;
   5. (5) the muzzle-loader used is incapable of being loaded at the breech;
   6. (6) the smooth-bore muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least .45 inches; and
   7. (7) the rifled muzzle-loader used is a caliber of at least .40 inches.
2. (b) A person may not take big game with a .30 caliber M-1 carbine cartridge.
3. (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (4), a person may take big game with a ten millimeter cartridge that is at least 0.95 inches in length and may take big game with a .45 Winchester Magnum cartridge.

Subd. 2. Handguns for small game.

A person may take small game with a handgun of any caliber in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

Subd. 3. Firearms larger than ten gauge prohibited.

A person may not use a firearm with a bore larger than a ten gauge to take a protected wild animal.

Subd. 4. Silencers prohibited.

A person may not own or possess a silencer for a firearm or a firearm equipped to have a silencer attached.