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The Minnesota Senate planned to debate a proposal Monday to restrict assault-style weapons and high capacity magazines.

The proposal also deals with school safety efforts and it comes months after a fatal shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Lawmakers in the divided Legislature have said school safety is a top priority this session but have disagreed about the best path forward.

Democrats hold a one-vote edge in the Senate and would need all 34 members to advance it, barring unexpected GOP support. DFLers in the Senate have already taken votes on gun laws — background checks, revocation orders and trigger devices — since their last election so some in competitive districts will face campaign pushback regardless of how they vote on these. 

This vote won’t be the final word for the measures because the House, which is tied, has not advanced companion bills. Families affected by gun violence, physicians who treat patients with gun-related injuries and advocates for more restrictions on firearms spoke in support of the proposal Monday morning.

“This legislation is comprehensive and doesn't compromise on our values. Students and parents do not want us to choose between banning weapons of war and investing in schools. This isn't either or. We need both,” said Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis, who sponsored the bill.

The proposal would prohibit firearms dealers from selling assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines, though non dealers could continue selling them as long as they follow existing firearm sale and transfer laws. Owners would have to certify the assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines they already have with the state. The bill would also make it a felony to sell or transfer ghost guns, those without a serial number. 

Dr. Rachel Weigert is a pediatric emergency room physician at Children’s Minnesota who treated children injured during the shooting at Annunciation. She said the changes are needed.

“As a doctor, I'm supposed to train and prepare for the worst, not kids, not educators and not parents,” Weigert said. “Since that day, a chorus of kids, educators, parents and medical professionals have been begging the legislature to take a vote on policy changes like the Senate will do today. I'm glad we're finally here, and yet there is still so much to do.”

It includes provisions dealing with school safety provisions including more funding for mental health services and school safety grants, and to anonymous threat reporting systems. The House has deadlocked over provisions of a school safety proposal. Republicans have said they won’t support firearm restrictions as part of a compromise bill.

Gun rights organizations have said the bill would unfairly infringe on gun owners’ rights.

“These firearms and these magazines, are owned by hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans for a multitude of reasons, whether it's self defense or hunting or sports shooting, and they're clearly protected by the Second Amendment and the Minnesota Constitution,” Anna Leamy, director of government relations and advocacy at the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, told Minnesota Now host Nina Moini.

“This is not going to do anything to stop the criminals who are already ignoring Minnesota's gun laws and so many of their other laws,” Leamy continued.

Democrats said if Republicans block the measure from advancing this year, it will be a key focus on the campaign trail. All 201 legislative seats are on the ballot in November.

“People are wondering where people stand. So I hope that that pressure works, and if the pressure does not work under the dome in the next two weeks, it certainly will be there as we all face our voters and they ask us what we've done on this issue,” Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke to two people on both sides of the issue. Listen to the conversation using the audio player above.

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The bill would ban the sale of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, boost funding for school safety measures and mental health and encourage school districts to adopt anonymous threat reporting systems.

Minnesota Senate to vote on firearm restrictions, school safety funding

Ben Hovland | MPR News

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Minnesota Senate to vote on firearm restrictions, school safety funding

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