GIFFORDS Applauds Minnesota Legislature for Advancing Gun Violence Prevention Priorities
GIFFORDS Helped Craft Gun Safety Legislation
Former Congresswoman Giffords Joined Gov. Walz in Support of Bills in St. Paul
St. Paul, MN — Today, GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, applauded the Minnesota legislature for advancing key gun violence prevention bills and sending them to Governor Walz’s desk. Giffords worked closely with lawmakers to craft the background checks and extreme risk protection order bills passed today. In March, Congresswoman Giffords joined Governor Walz and members of GIFFORDS Gun Owners for Safety’s Minnesota chapter in St. Paul to advocate for these bills.
Agustin Cabrera, State Legislative Manager:
“In 2022, Minnesotans went to the polls and elected a gun safety majority to the House and Senate. Late last night, the legislature delivered on its promise to protect communities from gun violence across the state by sending life saving legislation to the desk of Governor Walz. GIFFORDS was proud to work with leaders in the North Star State to pass background checks and extreme risk protection orders and we are grateful for these gun safety champions in the House and Senate.”
GIFFORDS conducted a poll earlier this year that found 92% of Minnesota voters support universal background checks and 67% support extreme risk protection orders. Background checks keep firearms out of the hands of those who may threaten public safety. Currently, Minnesota law has no requirements mandating that people who buy guns in unlicensed, private sales undergo a background check or present transfer permits. This legislation would close these dangerous loopholes and require background checks for all sales of handguns and assault weapons.
Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), sometimes referred to as red flag laws, are a proactive way to prevent mass shootings and other acts of gun violence. Often perpetrators of gun violence will display four to five observable and concerning behaviors prior to their attacks. In Minnesota, however, those who observe these warning signs often have few opportunities to intervene provided to them under state law. The passage of new ERPO legislation would provide a legal mechanism through the courts for law enforcement and family members to prevent individuals at high risk of harming themselves or others from temporarily having access to firearms.
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