ST. PAUL, Minn. – With the new firearms limits now signed into law by Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota becomes the 20th state to allow authorities to take firearms away from individuals posing a plausible threat to other people or themselves – a so-called “red flag” law. Minnesota, also. becomes the 17th state to require background checks for all gun sales. The red-flag provisions qualify Minnesota for federal financial support to administer red-flag laws as allowed in the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which President Biden signed into law last year. The new Minnesota provisions did not come easily. For years, Republicans firmly opposed any gun limits. The GOP position: Criminals would still find ways to get a hold of weapons. So too the mentally disturbed, they said. In 2023 Democrats gained control of both the Senate and House. The debate was furious — 10 hours on the floor of the Senate, nine in the House, with myriad maneuvers to water down if not defeat the measures. The final Senate vote was by one vote: 34 to 33.
Earlier: Pair of Minnesota gun-limit laws on books soon
Earlier: How they voted: Gun restrictions / 2
Earlier: How they voted: Gun restrictions / 1
Gauging public opinion
A poll early in 2023 by Gabby Giffords’ gun-control lobby found 92% of Minnesota voters supported universal background checks and 67% supported extreme risk protection orders.
Public safety legislation
The gun restrictions signed by Governor Tim Walz were a minor part of a 522-page public safety bill. The bill was an umbrella that funds the courts, corrections and police systems, including salaries. Among provisions:
> $1.6 billion. To fund the state Corrections Department.
> $574 million. To fund the state Public Safety Department.
> $95 million. To hire 100 more public defenders in criminal cases.
> $37 million. To hire more lawyers, to represent low-income clients in civil cases.