By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Minnesota Democrats, fired up by Gov. Tim Walz’s Tuesday announcement of his gun control agenda, are reportedly ramping up their “pressure campaign to compel state Republicans” to accede to their demands, according to the Minnesota Reformer.
However, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus is having none of it. In a sharply-worded reaction to the Walz agenda, MGOC Chair Bryan Strawser stated, “The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus strongly opposes Governor Walz’s latest gun control proposals. These measures target peaceable gun owners with bans, new taxes, insurance mandates, and expanded government authority, while doing little to stop violent criminals who already ignore the law.”
Walz Announces ‘Gun Violence’ Prevention Package
Strawser points out, “Minnesotans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Punishing responsible citizens is not a public safety strategy.”
He said there are possible opportunities to reach “common ground,” which he outlined:
- Enforcing existing laws against violent offenders and holding prohibited persons accountable
- Improving access to mental health resources and strengthening crisis response systems
- Enhancing school safety and emergency preparedness
- Implementing evidence-based crisis intervention & threat assessment policies
“Public safety and constitutional rights can coexist without conflict,” Strawser’s statement adds. “We will continue to oppose government overreach, but we remain ready to work with lawmakers who are serious about solutions that focus on criminals, not peaceable Minnesotans, and respect the Second Amendment.”
As reported Tuesday by TGM, Walz announced a gun control package which includes provisions for so-called “safe storage,” a ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity magazines,” added school safety measures, and a requirement to quickly report lost or stolen firearms.
The Minnesota Reformer is reporting that House Republicans have already rejected bills banning semi-autos and original capacity magazines, and are not likely to entertain any new proposals later in the legislative session.
