ST. PAUL, MN – Joined by Minnesota students who participated in the national “March for Our Lives” in Washington, D.C., Governor Mark Dayton today urged Legislators to act to reduce gun violence in Minnesota. With just over two weeks remaining in the 2018 Legislative Session, time is running out to pass comprehensive gun safety measures that can further protect the lives, safety, and security of all Minnesotans.

 

“I commend the thousands of brave students, teachers, and families who have marched in Minnesota and across the country, to speak out against senseless gun violence in our communities,” said Governor Dayton. “We must do everything possible to protect our children and communities from harm.  I urge the Legislature to act on preventative gun safety measures this session to reduce gun violence across Minnesota.”

 

Yesterday, Governor Dayton issued a letter to Legislative Leaders, urging them to act quickly on important School Safety legislation. Governor Dayton announced his Safe and Secure Schools Act proposal more than eight weeks ago. Since the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida, there have been at least 28 reported threats made against Minnesota schools. Governor Dayton today reiterated his support for a wide range of legislative proposals to reduce gun violence in Minnesota, including criminal background checks, age restrictions for assault rifle purchases, and “red flag laws” for individuals found to be a danger to themselves or others. 

 

“There is no doubt that gun safety proposals like expanded background checks and red flag laws will save lives,” said Senator Ron Latz. “These policies have broad support that crosses political, urban and rural, and gun owners and non-owner lines. We’ve tried several times this session to get hearings or have a vote on the Senate floor, but I worry time is running out to make change.”

 

Gun violence remains a challenge in Minnesota and across the United States. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, firearm homicides are the leading cause of violent death for Minnesotans under the age of 9, while firearm suicides are the leading cause of death for all Minnesotans. Overall, approximately 12,700 Americans lose their lives to gun violence each year. For every one person killed by a firearm, there are an additional two more individuals who are also injured.

 

“Minnesotans are demanding action to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people,” said House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman. “Legislative Democrats have tried repeatedly to advance criminal background checks on all gun sales and extreme risk protective orders to keep our communities safe. Unfortunately, Republicans in charge of the Legislature are blocking meaningful, common-sense gun safety legislation from moving forward.”

 

Recent polling has shown overwhelming support for commonsense measures to reduce gun violence in Minnesota. A new poll from the Star Tribune found that 90 percent of Minnesotans across the state support criminal background checks on all gun sales in Minnesota. The poll also found majority support for raising the legal age to purchase firearms, and banning military-style assault rifles.

 

Similarly, a recent Everytown for Gun Safety poll of Minnesotans found that 89 percent of respondents – including 89 percent of gun owners – support criminal background checks on all gun sales in Minnesota. This support was firm across party lines, with 84 percent of Republicans and 94 percent of Democrats sharing the same view. The poll also found 87 percent support for Red Flag laws to allow family members and law enforcement personnel to ask a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms, if they have documented evidence that the person poses a serious threat to themselves or others.

 

Governor Dayton has proposed the Safe and Secure Schools Act, which would advance broadly-supported policies to improve the safety of Minnesota students. The Governor’s proposal would increase school funding by $18 per student, totaling $15.9 million in 2019, to help school districts and charter schools identify and assist students who exhibit red flags to school officials and law enforcement and make needed safety improvements to school facilities. The proposal also includes an additional $5 million for school-based grants that would provide mental health services to student who need added support.

 

To learn more about how Governor Dayton’s Safe and Secure Schools Act would improve the safety of Minnesota students, CLICK HERE.

 

In addition to his Safe and Secure Schools Act, Governor Dayton has urged the Legislature to pass legislation that would help reduce gun violence and make it harder for criminals to access guns.

 

·         Criminal Background Checks – Governor Dayton supports legislative proposals to require criminal background checks any time a firearm is exchanged. This requirement would protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, while making it more difficult for criminals to access guns.  

 

·         Clarify Bump Fire Stocks Ban – The 2017 Las Vegas shooting left 58 people dead and 851 injured. The killer in that tragedy used a bump fire stock to increase his rate of fire. Governor Dayton supports measures proposed by state legislators to clarify that Minnesota law already bars the sale and use of bump fire stocks.

 

·         Public Health Research – Governor Dayton supports legislative proposals to collect data on gun ownership for purposes of public health research. A better understanding of the factors causing gun violence could help to improve future efforts to protect lives.

 

·         Age Restrictions on Assault Rifles – Governor Dayton supports legislative proposals to restrict the purchase of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons, like the ones used in the Newtown and Parkland shootings, to individuals older than 21.

 

·         Enact Red Flag Law – At least 24 Minnesotans were killed by a current or former intimate partner in 2017. More than 50 percent of these deaths were the result of firearms. Governor Dayton supports measures to allow family members and law enforcement personnel to ask a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms, if they have documented evidence that the person poses a serious threat to themselves or others.

 

To learn more about legislative proposals supported by Governor Dayton to reduce gun violence and save lives, CLICK HERE.