Local Lawmakers React to Passage of Gun Measures, Public Safety Bill
After nine hours of debate, the Minnesota House approved two gun control measures early Tuesday as part of a sweeping public safety bill.
The bill, SF2909, passed the DFL-controlled House by a vote of 69-63. The same bill passed the DFL-led Minnesota Senate last Friday by one vote, 34-33. The legislation is now headed to the desk of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it into law.
The bill includes a requirement for background checks on private gun sales. It also includes a so-called “red flag” provision that allows family members and others to petition a court to have guns removed from people deemed a danger to themselves or others.
“This is a great bill, not a good bill, a great bill,” said Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, who authored the red-flag provision.
Other parts of the bill include limiting the use of no-knock warrants by police and reducing prison sentences for certain inmates if they complete steps such as getting a GED, taking skills training or and going through chemical dependency treatment.
House Republicans who voted against the bill pointed out that not a single member of their party was allowed to give input in a conference committee that hammered out the bill’s final details.
“Members, when you are making this final deal that you are bringing back to this body to us and ask for our support, but we’ve had zero input, it’s offensive,” said Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, on the House floor. “It’s not right for this institution.”
Before the final vote, Rep. Frazier spoke about how he believes the bill will build trust between community and law enforcement.
“In a few days it will be three years since the murder of George Floyd. Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota has been put under this trajectory to do some really good things to model for the world, how we can come of that,” said Frazier. “This bill does that by striking a balance on public safety.”
Rep. Cedrick Frazier, DFL-New Hope, released a statement after the bill’s passage.
Also See: Newsmakers: Rep. Frazier Discusses ‘Restore the Vote,’ Public Safety Bill
Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Champlin | Corcoran | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale | Rogers | Twin Cities | Wayzata
