The idea of a special session to look into a state passing gun control is far from new. We saw it in Tennessee after the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, and that was in a pro-gun state.
So, it’s not shocking that it’s happening in Minnesota after what happened in Minneapolis.
But it seems the state’s Republicans might be playing along to some degree or another, as a bipartisan state Senate working group will look into gun control.
What they’re saying:
“We want to thank the members below for their commitment to earnest discussion on how the Senate moves forward in addressing and preventing gun violence in Minnesota,” said co-chairs Sen. Latz and Sen. Mohamed. “These upcoming public meetings and the work of this group are an important step forward in our response to the tragedy that occurred at Annunciation and we look forward to this important and urgent conversation.”
“Minnesotans expect action that meets the moment to prevent any tragedy like this from ever happening again in any of our communities. This working group is an important part of that process, but we are fully committed to moving forward with serious proposals that will keep our children and communities safe.”
The other side:
Sen. Eric Lucero (GOP-Saint Michael) sent Fox 9 this statement on the matter.
“Senate Republicans are united in supporting safe schools, safe communities, and real solutions, not slogans. We back tougher penalties for violent repeat offenders, stronger school safety measures, including SROs to identify, respond, and de-escalate threats, and expanded access to mental health resources to stop tragedies before they happen.”
Of course, the fact that both chairs are Democrats–Minnesota’s state party is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, or DFL, just to be clear–suggests that the Republicans who are part of the group won’t really have much authority or influence. Instead, they’re far more likely to be ignored, then used to justify rubber-stamping whatever comes out of the working group because it was “bipartisan.”
Don’t get me wrong, I like what Lucero is suggesting. These are solid strategies that don’t impact the right to keep and bear arms in negative ways in Minnesota.
I just don’t see it being the result.
Minnesota nearly passed an assault weapon ban this year. I’d be shocked to see it fail next time around. The state has sort of held onto gun rights more than you’d expect from such a deeply blue state, but it’s been a close thing. It’s been driven by the outdoor culture that still holds sway through most of the state.
Yet something like Minneapolis rattles people. It makes them think things they might not have otherwise. They’re emotional because two children were killed, and 17 more were hurt. That’s hard to shrug off, and if you’re not completely firm in your pro-gun beliefs, it’s easy to be swayed at a time like that.
So I’m concerned that the inclusion of Republicans will be used to justify anything this group comes up with as “bipartisan” and give some degree of cover for those who will vote in favor of gun control who might not have otherwise.
Editor’s Note: The radical left will stop at nothing to enact their radical gun control agenda and strip us of our Second Amendment rights.
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