Governor Walz Signs Gun Control Measures Into Law

(KNSI) – Minnesota has signed a bill enacting two gun control measures Democratic lawmakers claim will make the state safer.

Governor Tim Walz signed the public safety bill, which includes universal background checks and a red flag law. Both parties must retain a copy of the transfer record for ten years. The bill requires a background check for private party pistols and semiautomatic weapons. A background check is not required for a hunting rifle or when a gun is passed between immediate family members.

Extreme risk protection orders, also known as “red flag laws,” will let a family member, guardian, government attorney, or police chief petition a judge to take someone’s guns away if there is an accusation that they are at risk of injuring themselves or others.

The bill received no Republican support.

A statement from the National Association for Gun Rights to KNSI News said:

Governor Tim Walz signed S.F. 2909, a public safety funding bill, today. Last week, a committee composed of entirely DFL (Democratic-Farm- Labor) Democrats amended S.F. 2909 to add gun control provisions, including “red flag” gun confiscation and a ban on the private sale of firearms.

“This Minnesota gun control trojan horse bill is a shameful example of the political class ignoring the will of their constituents in an effort to advance their unconstitutional agenda,” said Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights. “Minnesota, which has a proud tradition of sportsmen and responsible gun ownership, now ranks amongst deep blue coastal states that have similar laws on the books.”

The new law is set to take effect in July. It needs to be determined how the gun control provisions will be enforced.

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