GIFFORDS applauds Gov. Walz, DFL efforts to pass critical gun safety package
The proposed legislation is in response to the assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School
WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention group led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, applauded Governor Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, and House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson for their leadership in pushing for a comprehensive gun safety package and calling for a special legislative session. These efforts are in the wake of the assassination of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, the attempted assasination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, and the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School last month.
“Over the past few months Minnesotans have experienced horrific political violence and gun violence. No community should have to live through what these communities have endured. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman should still be alive today. 8-year-old Harper Moyski and 10-year-old Fletcher Merkel should still be alive today,”said GIFFORDS Executive Director Emma Brown. “This shouldn’t be a political issue. We know gun violence is preventable and we know that the solutions that Gov. Walz, Senate Majority Leader Murphy, and House DFL Leader Stephenson are proposing today will save lives. We urge all legislators in Minnesota to join them in their efforts to save lives.”
The proposed gun safety package would:
- Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
- Ban binary triggers
- Eliminate the ghost gun loophole
- Strengthen Extreme Risk Protection Orders, including increased funding for public outreach and education
- Expand school safety funding
- Increase funding for mental health treatment
- Strengthen prohibitions against domestic abusers to ensure they do not have access to firearms (HF 391)
- Increase criminal penalties for violent offenses committed with a firearm and increase criminal penalties for impersonating a police officer
- Increase funding to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team