Walz Proposes Ban on Assault Weapons, New Gun Taxes and Insurance Requirement in Minnesota

(KNSI) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is proposing sweeping legislation that would ban assault rifles, ghost guns, and high-capacity magazines, while also imposing new taxes on firearms and ammunition.

The governor’s proposal targets several areas of gun safety. It would ban military-style assault rifles, high-capacity magazines, and ghost guns (firearms assembled from parts or kits without traceable serial numbers). It would also re-enact the binary trigger ban, require safe storage of all firearms, and mandate reporting of lost or stolen guns. Gun owners would be required to carry firearms liability insurance. New taxes would apply to purchases, including a 10% tax on handguns and an 11% tax on shotguns, rifles, and ammunition. The proposal also calls for expanding early intervention resources, including programs in schools.

“In the past year we have seen gun violence inflict immense heartbreak and loss in Minnesota. It’s time for us to come together to take real, actionable steps toward common-sense gun laws,” said Governor Walz. “We are ready to make significant progress, and I look forward to working across the aisle to pass the gun violence prevention legislation that Minnesotans deserve.”

Walz was joined at his office on Tuesday by legislators, community advocates, and survivors of gun violence to announce the package of bills. The package includes a number of provisions he says would strengthen gun safety in the face of what he called legislative inaction. Read the entire proposed package by clicking here.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth and House Minority Leader Harry Niska released a joint statement in response.

“Now that the Governor has finally released the plans he’s been talking about for five months, we’re hoping he’ll also release language so Minnesotans can see exactly what he is proposing. Today we heard multiple House Democrats say they could not support an unconstitutional bill, so it appears his bans are off the table even for Democrats. We’re glad the Governor finally acknowledges that addressing mental health, early intervention, and making our schools safe for students will help prevent violence, and we look forward to working together on bills that keep people safe and protect our constitutional rights.”

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