The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus announced plans to file a lawsuit against St. Paul if the city enacts a new ordinance regulating firearms. This declaration comes as St. Paul officials, including Mayor Melvin Carter, push for local firearms regulations in response to increasing violence.
During a recent meeting, Mayor Carter, along with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and several suburban mayors, called for the repeal of a state preemption law that currently prevents local governments from establishing their own firearm regulations. They argue that local ordinances are necessary to enhance public safety and reduce gun violence.
Bryan Strawser, chairman of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, criticized the proposed ordinance, asserting in a statement, “The St. Paul City Council is trying to make a political statement with an illegal ordinance, and they know it.” He emphasized that the issue at hand is not about safety but rather about “virtue signaling” that undermines the rights of law-abiding citizens.
The City Council is set to introduce the ordinance at its meeting on November 5, with a potential vote for approval on November 12. If passed, the ordinance would not take effect until the state preemption laws are repealed or invalidated. The proposed regulations would ban assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and binary triggers, as well as require all firearms to have serial numbers and restrict firearms in sensitive public spaces.
Despite the caucus’s warning, City Council President Rebecca Noecker affirmed that the Council intends to move forward with the ordinance. She stated, “It’s not surprising that the Gun Owners Caucus is once again standing in the way of common sense legislation that is supported by the majority of Americans and that saves lives.”
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus responded with a letter to the City Council, arguing that “Minnesota courts have repeatedly held that municipalities may not do indirectly what they are forbidden to do directly.” The letter, authored by general counsel Rob Doar, indicated that the organization would pursue legal action if the ordinance is passed, seeking both declaratory and injunctive relief on behalf of its members.
The proposed ordinance comes in the wake of heightened concerns about gun violence following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis on August 27, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to many others. Governor Tim Walz previously indicated he would call a special session of the Legislature to address gun policy, but has since retracted that statement, citing a lack of bipartisan agreement.
The ordinance aims to address community calls for action on gun control, particularly regarding assault weapons, as articulated by Mayor Carter. He stated, “If the legislature is unable to do something different, local leaders will.”
Public response to the proposed ordinance has been mixed. While some community members support the initiative, others have expressed opposition. The City Council received numerous emails urging them to reject the ordinance, with one resident stating, “Stop the games with … going after legal gun owners. … Start locking up criminals for a change!”
The Gun Owners Caucus has urged the City Council to respect state laws and avoid a potentially costly legal battle. Doar pointed out that local governments can only adopt laws that mirror state law or regulate the discharge of firearms and the zoning of firearm-related businesses.
In defense of their proposal, city officials argue that contingent laws, such as those recently enacted in various states regarding abortion, have been implemented in other jurisdictions without legal complications. Jennifer Lor, press secretary for Mayor Carter, noted that there is no existing case law that would prohibit the city’s proposed measures.
As the City Council prepares to discuss the ordinance further, the debate over gun regulation in St. Paul continues to evoke strong opinions on both sides, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding gun ownership and public safety in the United States.
