By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday announced his legislative gun control agenda, surrounded by gun control advocates, and at the top of his list are bans on “military assault rifles,” high-capacity magazines, safe storage and firearms insurance requirements, mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms and implementing a firearms and ammunition tax.
Insisting that “These are things that data shows us will protect lives,” Walz acknowledged “we’re under no illusion that we can stop every single” violent crime involving firearms.
According to CBS News affiliate WCCO, the Walz gun control agenda “could face an uphill battle in a divided legislature.”
Separately, WCCO has noted the tie among Republicans and Democrats (DFL) in the House, while in the Senate Democrats have a one-seat majority. CBS also reported new weapons screening at each entrance of the State Capitol.
Last year, following the shooting tragedy at the Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Walz tried to call a special session of the Legislature to talk gun control, but couldn’t get lawmakers to agree. Instead, he announced some executive moves, but now with the Legislature back in session, he has lifted the curtain on his proposals.
Walz claimed his package will reduce “gun violence” while “doing nothing to impinge on Second Amendment rights. He offered to take lawmakers pheasant hunting in the fall to prove his plan will work.
Gun control supporters say polling in Minnesota shows the public supports tougher gun laws.
“This is the time for bipartisan action,” Walz insisted.
The governor’s proposal comes under the continued shadow of widespread fraud allegations, and in the wake of protests and fatal confrontations between federal law enforcement and demonstrators over immigration enforcement.
Over the past couple of years, Minnesota has passed laws expanding background checks and a so-called “red flag” law, but neither of those prevented the Annunciation attack in August, nor the murders last summer of former House Speaker Melissa Hartman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted murder of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
As noted Monday by columnist Tanya Metaksa, Minnesota lawmakers already have two bills to consider:
HF3433, which bans commonly owned gas-operated semiautomatic firearms
HF3402, which bans any magazine capable of holding over ten rounds.
