Gov. Walz signs straw purchase firearm legislation to increase criminal penalties

Walz signs straw gun bill, talks case dismissal [RAW]

Gov. Tim Walz signs the straw gun purchases bill into law at the St. Paul Police Department. Gov. Walz also gives remarks on the recent case dismissal of Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the shooting death of Ricky Cobb II.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held a ceremonial signing on Monday morning for legislation to increase criminal penalties for firearm straw purchases.

The ceremonial bill signing happened at 11:30 a.m. The event included local St. Paul leaders and law enforcement, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Eagan Police Chief Roger New, St. Paul Assistant Chief Paul Ford, Sen. Heather Gustafson, and Rep. Kaela Berg, to highlight the legislation that increases the criminal penalties for those who straw purchase firearms.

Straw purchasing is when an individual buys a firearm for someone else who is not allowed to have it. A recent case involves the girlfriend of Shannon Gooden, the man accused of shooting and killing three Burnsville first responders in February, in which she was indicted for allegedly straw purchasing five firearms.

Tim Walz Crime and Public Safety