Gun Control Bills Unveiled As Opponents Fan Out At Capitol
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- Minnesota lawmakers today introduced gun safety bills they say could help prevent mass shootings, like the Parkland Florida High School massacre.
Those bills came down as gun owners rallied at the State Capitol, warning lawmakers not to change Minnesota gun laws.
There's widespread public support for wider background checks and extreme protection orders, but it's already taking shape as one of the most divisive issues of the year.
Gun owners swarmed the Capitol hallways to oppose any changes to Minnesota firearms law, putting political pressure on the legislature.
Democratic Sen. Ron Latz introduced bills requiring universal background checks for all firearms transfers, including family members, and "extreme protection orders" to legally confiscate guns from people who are dangerous to themselves or others.
"My bottom line will be, if you are a law-abiding gun owner, and you don't have a prohibitive criminal history, you really have nothing to worry about from these bills," Latz said.
That's not how gun activists at the Capitol see it. Some told us expanding background checks is unnecessary, and that the bills don't protect against a person with a grudge.
"They take them and I don't even know who complained about me? If I don't like you, I can make a complaint against you and they're going to come and take your guns," John Leek, from Onamia, said.
The gun safety bills gained urgency last year after the high school massacre at Parkland, Florida. Supporters believe they are broadly popular and effective.
"We now have evidence -- real information -- that shows enacting these kinds of proposals saves lives," Sen. Susan Kent said.
The gun safety bills have strong support from the Democratic House and Gov. Tim Walz. But it's facing opposition in the Republican Senate, where even some rural Democrats are wary of the plans. There will be a strong push back.
