Gun Sense Trifecta in Minnesota, Bolstered by Four Moms Demand Action Volunteers Who Helped Flipped the Senate, Helped Pave a Path to to Pass Critical Common Sense Gun Safety Legislation
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding Minnesota House lawmakers for passing critical gun violence prevention legislation through committee. Today, the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee advanced multiple pieces of legislation, including:
- House File 14, a bill to require background checks on all handgun and semi automatic military-style assault weapon purchases;
- House File 15, a bill to enact an Extreme Risk Protection Order law, which allows loved ones and law enforcement to petition for temporary firearm removal from those at-risk of harming themselves or others;
- House File 396, a bill to strengthen secure storage requirements; and,
- House File 601, a bill to require gun owners to report lost or stolen guns to law enforcement.
“Gun violence in all its forms is devastating families and communities across Minnesota,” said Katie Walloch, a volunteer with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We are incredibly grateful that Minnesota lawmakers – including Moms Demand Action volunteers – are prioritizing saving lives. Moms Demand Action volunteers have been advocating for gun violence prevention in Minnesota for many years and are ready to see the bills across the finish line.”
Yesterday, Senate lawmakers introduced a background check bill, Senate File 1116, and Extreme Risk law, Senate File 1117.
Following an election where Minnesota voters made it clear that gun violence prevention is a top priority, lawmakers returned to the State Capitol with a gun sense majority in all three chambers. In recent years, life-saving gun safety bills have been blocked by the Senate. During the 2022 election, six Moms Demand Action volunteers from across Minnesota – all women – won their elections. Four of them were elected to the State Senate, flipping the chamber to provide a one-seat gun sense majority, and delivering a gun sense trifecta.
In an average year, 462 people die and 811 are wounded by guns in Minnesota. An average of 41 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 55% of these deaths are suicides and 39% are homicides. Gun violence in Minnesota costs $1,174 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Minnesota $6.6 billion each year, of which $105.5 million is paid by taxpayers
More information about gun violence in Minnesota is available here.
