Newsmakers: Rep. Cedrick Frazier Talks Gun Violence at Town Hall
In the wake of assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and the Annunciation school shooting, Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) felt it was time to host a town hall on gun violence prevention.
“We’ve had some recent tragedies here in our state,” Frazier said. “People want action.”
That town hall was in the Crystal City Council Chambers on Dec. 3, and drew a significant crowd.
“We’re hoping we can spur that sense of urgency in my colleagues across the aisle, and anyone that wants to make sure we can do some things, to put things in place around gun safety to save lives,” Fraizer said.
Moving into the next session, Frazier, who is running for Hennepin County Attorney, has several ideas for gun-related legislation.
He wants to see the creation of a state-led office of gun violence and violence prevention.
Likewise, he aims to strengthen so-called “Red Flag” laws. Frazier was the chief author of the House of Representatives version of the bill, which went into effect nearly a year ago.
“It already has shown that it’s saving lives,” he said. “We’re looking at bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines because we know that this is the weapon of choice for shooters when they want to commit mass killings.”
While it’s not clear if the legislature will have an appetite to pass new gun laws, Frazier said that victims and their families will be at the capitol in full force.
“I know my colleagues in the DFL, we’re ready, we’re committed to make sure that we’re doing something to be responsive to the families that have been harmed by gun violence,” Frazier added.
