MN Governor Walz approves stricter gun control laws.

Minnesota Governor Signs Sweeping Gun Control Bill into Law

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a comprehensive gun control bill into law, which includes universal background checks and a “red flag” measure that allows law enforcement to intervene if someone is deemed at high risk of injuring themselves or others with a firearm. The bill was passed along party lines in the state Senate and was folded into a broader public safety bill that includes funding for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to fight violent crime, limits on no-knock warrants, and grants for community-based crime prevention efforts.

Common Sense, Life-Saving Legislation

As a veteran, gun-owner, hunter, and dad, Governor Walz believes that basic gun safety is not a threat to the Second Amendment, but rather a way to keep kids safe. He stated that there is no place for weapons of war in schools, churches, banks, or anywhere else people are just trying to live their lives. The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) called the bill a “kitchen sink” gun control bill for its sweeping provisions, including the red flag law that allows authorities to take someone’s guns away temporarily if they’re deemed a threat to themselves or others. The NRA-ILA opposes these provisions, stating that they unfairly target law-abiding citizens without deterring criminals or improving public safety.

Stopping Gun Violence Takes Courage

Gabby Giffords, a former Democrat congresswoman who became a gun control advocate after being shot in the head in 2011, was present at the signing ceremony along with legislators and other gun control campaigners. She gave a brief speech in which she called for more efforts to stop gun violence. Opponents of the measure argue that it infringes on the Second Amendment and will be ineffective at reducing crime or rates of suicide. However, Governor Walz’s decision to sign the measure into law was hailed by Giffords and other gun control advocates.

Protecting Due Process Rights

Rob Doar, a lobbyist with the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, told The Associated Press in an interview that the policies are more likely to criminalize “common conduct among peaceful gun owners” such as loaning firearms between friends or hunting partners than they are to affect the market for illegal guns. He stated that if there is a clear violation of somebody’s due process rights, legal action will be taken. The bill cleared the state Senate by one vote after Democrats gained a one-seat majority in the November election, giving them control of both chambers and the governorship.

The Fight Against Gun Violence Continues

Gabby Giffords called for unity in the fight against gun violence, stating that it takes courage to make a change. Regardless of political affiliation, she believes that everyone must come together to stop the violence. While opponents of the measure argue that it infringes on Second Amendment rights, supporters believe that it is common sense, life-saving legislation that will create a safer future for our kids.

• Universal background checks and a “red flag” measure have been signed into law in Minnesota
• The bill also includes funding for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to fight violent crime, limits on no-knock warrants, and grants for community-based crime prevention efforts
• The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action opposes the bill, stating that it unfairly targets law-abiding citizens
• Gabby Giffords, a former congresswoman and gun control advocate, was present at the signing ceremony and called for more efforts to stop gun violence
• Opponents argue that the bill infringes on Second Amendment rights and will be ineffective at reducing crime or rates of suicide