Local DFL Lawmakers Stage Sit-In Demanding Gun Vote

DFL representatives continued to stage a sit-in Friday in the Minnesota House chambers to protest the lack of a vote on gun control measures.

The sit-in follows state Senate approval earlier this month of SF 4067, legislation that would ban assault weapons, ghost guns and high-capacity magazines. The Senate vote was 34-33, entirely along party lines. The bill would also establish an anonymous reporting system for threats.

The House, which is split 67-67 among the two major parties, has until Sunday night to pass bills before adjourning. 

“We deserve a real debate and vote on this bill,” said Rep. Mike Freiberg, DFL-Golden Valley, while speaking on the House floor Thursday evening. “No theatrics. No stalling. Just an actual conversation about a path forward for Minnesotans with actions to match.”

The House spent more than six hours Thursday on a motion to suspend rules that would have allowed a vote on HF5140, which is similar to the Senate version. A two-thirds majority vote is needed to suspend House rules, but the motion failed along party lines.

Before the vote, DFLers shared stories of gun violence, while Republicans raised questions about the bill.

“I’m tired of the implication that this vote is about theatrics,” said Rep. Kristin Bahner, DFL-Maple Grove, visibly shaken. “This vote isn’t about theatrics for me.”

Rep. Kristin Bahner speaks on House floor urging passage of gun legislation

House Majority Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, acknowledged the political attacks of June 14 that killed Rep. Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park. The same gunman is accused of visiting Bahner’s home, but she was not there at the time. Niska said the bill, however, raises questions.

“Difficult policy issues like this have to go through a normal committee process. And especially when we’re talking about bills criminalizing people with major constitutional questions, with major due process questions,” said Niska. “This bill is not ready, no matter how urgent the problem is, to pass.” 

About a dozen DFL lawmakers stayed in the chamber overnight Thursday, including Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, DFL-Brooklyn Park, following the unsuccessful effort to get a vote. They indicated the sit-in would continue through Saturday, when lawmakers are scheduled to return to the House floor.

Rep. Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley snaps a photo with her DFL colleagues of their staged sit-in overnight.

Students and families, including parents impacted by the Annunciation church school shooting, gathered Thursday to pressure House Speaker Lisa Demuth to hold a vote on the gun legislation.

During Thursday’s House session, Rep. Xp Lee, DFL-Brooklyn Park, shared the story on the House floor of a Park Center basketball player, Syoka Siko, who was killed in 2022 by a ghost gun.

The legislative session is scheduled to end by midnight on Sunday.

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