Governor Signs Gun Control Related Executive Orders

(KNSI) – Governor Tim Walz signed two executive orders Tuesday aimed at reducing gun-related violence in Minnesota.

The orders create a statewide safety council and direct state agencies to take steps to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths. The governor said the actions come after Republican legislative leaders declined to hold votes on gun safety measures.

“Gun violence has inflicted heartbreak and loss for families in Minnesota and across the country time and time again. Enough is enough,” said Governor Walz. “We have repeatedly met with Republican legislators to find a path forward but were met with excuses and stonewalling, so today I am taking executive action. These executive orders lay a critical foundation for the upcoming legislative session, and now we need Republicans in the Legislature to show courage and pass comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation, including a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault-style weapons. Minnesotans are demanding action.”

The executive orders direct state agencies to pursue several strategies.

A new Governor’s Statewide Safety Council will bring together leaders from law enforcement, education, mental health and community organizations to develop recommendations for preventing mass violence, domestic terrorism and politically motivated attacks.

The Department of Commerce will work with insurers to collect and analyze firearm-related claims data. The Department of Public Safety will expand education and training on extreme risk protection orders, which allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals in crisis. The Department of Education will partner with local schools to provide families with safe storage guidance and gun locks.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who is running for governor, criticized Walz’s approach in a statement.

“Once the Governor saw that even his own legislators weren’t on board with his gun bans, he pivoted to political rallies and insulting Republicans for suggesting bipartisan ways to keep students safe,” Demuth said. “Now, he’s pushing an advisory council and PSA campaigns for laws we already have.”

Demuth said if Walz wants a special session, he should call one, and accused him of politicizing tragedy and ignoring bipartisan safety solutions.

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