Robbinsdale Gun Shop Sees Spike in Sales
John Monson, owner of Bill’s Gun Shop and Range, says people from both sides of the political fence come to the Robbinsdale shop to purchase firearms. Monson says whenever discussions at the Capitol surround gun control, the shop sees an increase of people wanting to buy.
When People Rally…
Minnesota gun control advocates rallied at the capitol this week, urging the Republican-controlled senate to take up “two bills” that are close to passing in the house. Meanwhile, a Robbinsdale gun shop is seeing an increase in sales.
“We see people from both sides of the fence coming here,” says John Monson. “This is not just a Republican, Democrat or liberal or conservative conversation issue. Safety is important to a lot of people. “
Gun shop owners like Monson say when discussions at the capitol surround gun control, they see an increase of people wanting to buy.
“Anytime there is a discussion from a political standpoint that always has an impact,” added Monson. “When politicians start talking about changing the rules and stuff like that people just get that sense of I should do it before kind of thing. So we definitely do see an increase based on that.”
Red Flag Bill
Right now the discussion is surrounding a Red Flag Bill, which would allow police or family members to petition a court to temporarily seize someone’s guns if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others. The DFL backed bill has support of Republican governors in other states.
“Two weeks ago I was at the National Governors Association,” said Governor Tim Walz at a press conference earlier this week. “I was sitting with governor Ducey from Arizona and Governor DeSantis from Florida who both carried the Red Flag Law. Their bill was exactly like the one here. They go it passed in Republican houses and Republican senates. When that piece of legislation was offered up here it was called crazy and extreme by Republicans in the senate.”
Several Background Checks Already Take Place
The governor feels the public is asking for stricter laws.. But many may not know there are already several background checks people have to go through before they can take a gun home.
“If you are going to get a handgun or an assault style firearm a military knock-off like an AR-15, you would need what we call a permit to purchase in the state of Minnesota,” stated Monson. “You have to go to your local law enforcement agency fill out an application. After that there is a 7-10 day waiting period. They do a background check on you and then they give you this permit to purchase.”
After that process, the gun shop then does a federal background check before anyone can purchase a firearm.
Minnesota has the only divided legislature in the country. Republican leaders like Warren Limmer of Maple Grove, say there would have to be a “wide consensus” for any gun bill to be seriously considered.
