ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House speaker stands ready to consider stiffer state gun laws that Democratic Governor Tim Walz is drafting. However, Lisa Demuth, a Cold Springs Republican, said there are other issues regarding school safety that also need discussing. And she accused the Democratic governor of politicizing the issue. Said Demuth:
“As disappointing as it is that the governor is doing this in such an overtly political way, House Republicans stand ready to protect students and schools. I hope we can have a real conversation about all aspects of safety, including things like the school security funding that was denied by the DFL trifecta in 2023 and more funding for desperately needed mental health resources instead of vague demands for policies that have not stopped gun violence in other states.”
The governor has announced plans for a special session of the Legislature soon to strengthen gun laws after the mass shooting at a Minneapolis church and assassination attacks on two legislators. Walz began talking last week with Democrats in the Legislature about how to draft a passable bill and now has begun sounding out Republicans.
Earlier: Status report on Minnesota gun laws
Legislative hurdles
With the Legislature in a near-even split between Democrats and Republicans, Walz faces a tricky challenge in finding a majority for tougher gun laws. The governor acknowledged as much in announcing a special one-topic session of the Legislature: “My intention is to call this thing and get them in there, because I don’t know where the partisanship is. This should be a bipartisan agreement.” The Senate has a one-vote Republican majority. In the House the Democrats have a one-vote majority.