Minnesota Moms Demand Action, Everytown Call on Minnesota Senate Public Safety Committee to Hold Hearings for Two Gun Safety Bills

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today called on the Minnesota Senate Public Safety Committee to hold hearings on two bills that would put in place gun safety policies supported by law enforcement leaders and a wide majority of Minnesotans in both parties:

• SF 434, legislation sponsored by Sen. Ron Latz that would require criminal background checks on all Minnesota gun sales.
• SF 436, a Red Flag bill sponsored by Sen. Ron Latz that would allow family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order temporarily restricting a person’s access to firearms when there is evidence that they pose a threat to self or others.

“The Minnesota House is allowing for a full debate on these measures, and the Senate should, too,” said Erin Zamoff, volunteer leader with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “The vast majority of Minnesotans support these proposals, but whatever side you’re on, constituents and law enforcement deserve a chance to be heard. Blocking a debate on these public safety bills would be unacceptable.”

Last night, a second Minnesota House committee passed versions of both policies, but Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chairman Warren Limmer has not committed to holding hearings on either bill.

Polling conducted in 2018 by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune found that nine in 10 Minnesotans support criminal background checks on all gun sales. Additional polling last year found 87 percent of Minnesotans support the concept of Red Flag laws.