There is a newfound zest among anti-gun forces on both the federal and state levels to pursue gun hobbyists as dangerous felons. This activity is a time-honored tradition that has been handed down for generations, and Americans since the founding era have built their own firearms.

And lest we forget, it is a practice that is enshrined in the Constitution.

But in Minnesota, state lawmakers embedded a serialization requirement in line with those from Washington. A young hobbyist has been ensnared in the gun control net and faces a legal mess.

Matthew “Walker” Anderson, a 22-year-old from Becker, faces two felony charges for possession of weapons without serial numbers. Bearing Arms reported that his mother, who is understandably upset, said the predicament is the result of a gross misuse of Minnesota law.

Sara Forgues revealed that her son spoke with an ATF agent before he constructed his weapons and was assured that he was not in violation of federal or state laws. That did not head off the trouble he now faces.

The entanglement began in May 2022 when a neighbor complained about Anderson and a friend target shooting on nearby private property. It was alleged that glass shattered on a door. Sherburne County sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene but found no basis for the complaint.

However, Anderson was detained. Law enforcement confiscated his home built weapons and he was charged six weeks later due to the lack of serial numbers on the firearms.

His attorney, Blair Nelson, believes the state law mandating serialization does not apply to privately constructed weapons. And even if the statute is deemed to apply to such weapons, it is unconstitutional.

An October hearing will decide if the case against Anderson is dismissed or proceeds to trial. His defense has an expert witness to testify that serialization on neither the state nor federal levels applied to this case.

Firearm hobbyists in Minnesota and elsewhere will pay close attention.