Minnesota House backs gun control plans over GOP objections
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota House has approved a pair of gun control proposals over Republican objections.
Dozens of red-shirted gun control advocates from Moms Demand Action and allied groups demonstrate outside the Minnesota House as they pressed for progress on one of the most divisive issues in Minnesota politics as the 2019 Legislature convened Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
One provision would expand criminal background check requirements for all gun transfers, while the other would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people deemed an imminent threat to themselves or others.
House Democrats wrapped the proposals into a public safety bill that passed 70-64 early Tuesday. Five Democrats voted no. Including the provisions in the broader bill lets Democrats force a discussion of the contentious issues in the end-of-session negotiations with the Senate’s Republican majority.
But Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka told reporters that he considers the proposals dead and doesn’t want to waste time on them.
Gov. Tim Walz spoke at a Capitol rally in support of the gun control measures Monday.
