Extreme heat warning in effect through Sunday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

A $3.3 billion public safety and judiciary budget bill, which includes a pair of gun control measures, is on its way to the governor’s office for a signature after the Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday passed it on a 69-63 vote.

After an eight-hour debate, all but one Democrat in the chamber voted to advance the bill while Republicans and Rep. Dave Lislegard, DFL-Aurora, opposed it. The plan would make Minnesota the 20th state to enact what are known as red flag protections aimed at removing firearms from those deemed a danger to themselves or others. It would also expand criminal background checks to private transfers of firearms.

The gun provisions of the bill had long faced a roadblock at the Capitol under divided government and gun control advocates on Monday said the vote broke down that roadblock and would prevent some gun-related homicides and suicides.

“These provisions are saving lives in other states that have them. They’re in use well in other states,” Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-St. Paul, said. “They’re very popular with Minnesotans because we know they do in fact save lives.” 

Under the proposals, more firearm sales would be subject to background checks and allow for temporary removal of guns from people in crisis. Groups that had pressed lawmakers for years to pass the measures on Tuesday celebrated the step toward the bills becoming law in Minnesota

“Today we're honoring the Minnesotan lives stolen by gun violence with action that will help save others and prevent senseless tragedies,” Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of  he group Moms Demand Action, said. 

Opponents, including gun rights groups and Republicans, said the measures would deprive lawful gun owners of their rights and wouldn’t get to the heart of gun-related crimes.

Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, spoke against the expanded background checks.

“You're not going to change the behavior of somebody who is already intent on committing a crime. What you're doing is violating the Second Amendment,” Nash said. “And I don't know whether this will or will not be challenged in court. I'm sure that there will be some challenges. But the bigger challenge is this. That is not going to do what you hope it does.” 

The gun rights group Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said after the vote that it would closely watch the laws’ implementation and consider possible legal actions.

“Protecting law-abiding gun owners is our mission and our duty,” said Rob Doar, senior vice president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. “We will not be dismayed or dissuaded by the passage of new legislation.”

Gov. Tim Walz has said he supports the bill and will sign it into law soon. The measure appropriates about $880 million more than current budget levels for public safety, judiciary and corrections programs.

“As a veteran, gun-owner, hunter, and dad, I know that basic gun safety isn’t a threat to the Second Amendment. It’s about our first responsibility to our kids: Keeping them safe,” Walz said on Twitter. “When the bill reaches my desk, I’m going to sign a red flag law and background checks into law.”

The broader public safety bill would also:

Politics and Government News

NewsPartners

Instagram

2023 Minnesota legislative session

Dana Ferguson

Author

The Minnesota House passed a public safety budget bill Monday night that includes a pair of new gun laws and a host of other policy measures. Gov. Tim Walz said he will sign it. 

A gathering outside of the state capitol building.

New gun measures headed to Walz’s desk

Go Deeper.

Like this?