Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Plans Special Session on Gun Control
Following the devastating shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school church, which resulted in the loss of two children and injured 18 others, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is preparing to call state lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session on gun control as early as next month. This move comes as Walz and fellow Democratic-Farmer-Labor leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, have renewed their calls for stricter gun control laws.
The proposed policies include a ban on semiautomatic rifles and a limit on magazine capacity. Governor Walz expressed his determination to address gun violence, stating, “It’s time to take serious action at the State Capitol to address gun violence.” An administration official confirmed that Walz is making calls to state lawmakers in preparation for a potential special session.
New Gun Control Bills Face Challenges
New gun control bills are likely to face significant headwinds in the Legislature, where the Senate and House are closely divided between the parties. With DFLers holding 33 seats to Republicans’ 32 in the Senate and Republicans having 67 seats to DFLers’ 66 in the House, passage of any bill will require bipartisan support. This balance is not expected to change significantly after the upcoming special election, making it essential for DFLers to secure at least one GOP vote to pass major gun control bills.
Gun control bills may have a smoother ride in the Senate, which will maintain its current balance until special elections for two vacant seats in November. However, the challenge of securing bipartisan support remains, and the outcome is uncertain.
Response from GOP and Gun Rights Groups
Republicans have expressed surprise at Governor Walz’s plans to call lawmakers back to the Capitol, with Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson stating that the move is a “partisan stunt” and that addressing the root causes of violence and supporting safe schools and mental health resources should be the priority. House Speaker Lisa Demuth also expressed her expectation that the governor would have communicated his plans to legislative leaders before making the announcement.
Bryan Strawser, chairman of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, believes that the Minneapolis incident will not change the dynamic at the Capitol regarding gun control measures, as the divide between lawmakers who support gun control and those who do not is deeply entrenched. Strawser noted that “one half of the Legislature doesn’t believe that gun control is the answer to this – that there are other policy imperatives,” and that this fundamental difference in perspective will continue to shape the debate.
Minnesota’s Existing Gun Regulations
Minnesota currently has laws in place that require a permit to purchase certain semiautomatic rifles and pistols, and police chiefs and sheriffs can deny permits to individuals deemed a danger to themselves or the public. The state also has a “red flag” law, which allows courts to grant extreme risk protection orders and temporarily take guns from people deemed an imminent threat to others or themselves. Additionally, lawmakers have recently tightened the state’s background check requirements.
Despite these regulations, the Minneapolis shooter, 23-year-old Robin Westman, was able to legally obtain guns, highlighting the limitations of existing laws. Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, emphasized that “the failure to act here is the reason we are once again mourning dozens killed and injured in a school and a house of worship,” and that it is time for Minnesota to regulate assault weapons.
DFL Efforts to Advance Gun Control Legislation
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Ron Latz has announced plans to push for an extensive list of proposals in 2026, including bans on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy expressed her commitment to advancing gun control legislation, stating that “Minnesotans are clear with us. They are in favor of a ban on assault weapons, and they’re in favor of a ban on high-capacity magazines. And it’s time for us to love our children most and do our work.”
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