ST. PAUL, Minn. — After rebuffs from the legislature for stricter gun controls in September, Governor Tim Walz is back with a new plan. The governor’s new plan is a package of 15 bills that together address gun violence, firearm regulations, and public safety. The September rebuff was to an initial Walz attempt to convene a special session of the Legislature. Public outrage was running high at the time after a mass shooting at a Minneapolis church and the Hortman assassinations. The Walz idea was for legislators to draft new gun laws in the special session. Republicans balked, consistent with their historic alliance with gun manufacturers. They insisted that Walz, a Democrat, present specific language for them to consider, which would relieve them of rath from the gun industry for drafting tougher gun controls. In announcing his package of new pre-drafted bills, Walz aid: “While we couldn’t get a sense of urgency in the fall to get this done, but we’re here now. We’re in this legislative session, and something needs to be done.” The governor’s strategy is for at least parts of his package, if not all, to make it through the legislative process.
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