Press Conference: Gun Violence Prevention Legislation - 06/07/2022

Senate DFL lawmakers called for special session action on three measures designed to curb gun violence: expansion of background checks, adoption of the so-called red flag law and raising the age to 21 for the legal purchase of a rifle, shotgun or assault weapon. They appeared at a State Capitol press conference Tuesday, June 7.

Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen said, "As leaders we won't sit idly as more lives are lost to gun violence and more grief is imposed on families. DFLers are committed to responding to that grief with action to prevent future tragedies, and we are calling on our colleagues on the Republican side to help us by agreeing to finish the public safety bill and adding common sense gun prevention, gun safety legislation."

"We are renewing our call for the legislature to pass meaningful, common sense gun violence reduction measures," said Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park. Specifically, Latz advocated for the expansion of background checks required for purchasing a gun to include private sales and sales conducted during gun shows. He also called for a law enacted in 19 states, which would allow firearms to be removed from owners deemed by the courts as a danger to themselves or others.

Senator Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Mpls., proposed that Minnesota set the age at 21 for legally purchasing a rifle, shotgun or assault weapon. "We know Minnesota is a hunting and fishing state, so the bill would still allow kids to enjoy hunting. We are not going to change that. We will just end their ability to purchase these military-style weapons, these weapons that were designed for war, that were designed to kill," she said.