Following a close vote early Tuesday in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a bill including "universal background checks" and "red flag" gun confiscation is headed to Gov. Tim Walz.
The measure, a mammoth 522-page omnibus crime bill, HF2890/SF2909, was approved by the state's Democrat-controlled House in a 69-63 final roll call. This followed an even closer 34-33 party-line vote by the state Senate on May 12.
Opponents decried the partisan nature of the package.
"This is pretty arrogant work," said state Rep. Anne Neu Brindley (R-North Branch), who voted against the measure. "This is very one-sided work. It is work that chose to shut out 48 percent of Minnesotans’ viewpoints."
A complicated measure with lots of moving parts – even short research summaries of its sections produce a document almost 60 pages in length – the two of most concern to gun owners in The North Star State are a mandate effectively outlawing most person-to-person firearm transfers unless first looping in a licensed dealer to run a background check. The second facet, termed an "extreme risk protection order," allows petitions to local courts to suspend an individual's gun rights for up to a year based on an affidavit. These ERPOs can be extended for up to another year based on a further petition and would include both voiding the ability to purchase new guns and to possess those currently owned.
Walz, who came to office in 2018 riding a wave of at least $470,000 in spending from the Everytown anti-gun group and is endorsed by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for his upcoming reelection, is expected to sign the proposal into law. In March, the Governor fist-bumped with Giffords during a public event at the State Capitol in St. Paul stumping for more gun control.
"In the wake of these new laws, we are unwavering in our commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights of our members and supporters,” said Rob Doar, Senior VP of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. "We will be closely observing the implementation of these laws and will review potential legal actions with our national partners because protecting law-abiding gun owners is our mission and our duty. We will not be dismayed or dissuaded by the passage of new legislation."
Banner image: Mossberg 590 12-gauge shotgun. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
