Minnesota gun control measures pass, head to Walz for signature

Gun control bill passed the Minnesota House

The public safety and judiciary finance and policy agreement passed Tuesday by a vote of 69-63, after passing the Senate 34-33 on Friday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Following a vote of approval late Friday, a public safety bill that includes several gun control provisions passed the House of Representatives Tuesday, and will head to Gov. Tim Walz to be signed into law.

The public safety and judiciary finance and policy agreement passed early Tuesday by a vote of 69-63, after passing the Senate 34-33 on Friday.

Late in the legislative session, Democrat lawmakers added language during conference committee that includes a controversial "red flag law" as well as a ban on no-knock warrants barring specific circumstances.

The risks of no-knock warrants came into sharp focus in February 2022 when a Minneapolis police officer shot and killed Amir Locke. He was at the home targeted by the warrant but was not at all involved in the investigation leading police there.

Meanwhile, "red flag" provisions that would ban someone from possessing a gun if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others have been controversial nationally, with opponents arguing it violates a person’s due process and the Second Amendment of the constitution.

Among other provisions, the bill would also:

Establish the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls
Restrict strip searches of detained juveniles
Create the codified crime of organized retail theft
Prohibit peace officers from joining or supporting hate or extremist groups

MN public safety bill up for vote Monday

This year's legislative session is nearly over. By the end of the week, Minnesota lawmakers could pass everything from legalizing marijuana to creating a paid family leave program. Se Kwon has the latest.

Politics Crime and Public Safety