Protect Minnesota Tracks Gun Deaths in Latest Report, Calls for Evidence-Based Solutions

(KNSI) — Gun control advocacy group Protect Minnesota has released its latest gun-related death report.

In a press release, the group says to shed light on the critical issue of gun violence, it analyzed data from the Department of Health and found 569 people suffered a gun-related death in 2022.

Of the 569 deaths, 407 of them were suicides. The group says that statistic “highlights the need for extreme risk protection order legislation,” also known as the red flag law. The Minnesota Legislature passed such a law in 2023, and it goes into effect January 1st. It allows police, family members, or legal guardians to file an emergency petition to a court to take away someone’s right to own and keep firearms for up to a year. It must demonstrate the person is a clear and present danger to themselves or others. If granted, the person is required to turn over any guns within 24 hours. Critics say the law is unconstitutional as it strips gun owners of due process.

The report marked 147 gun-related homicides, eight law enforcement intervention deaths, six where the cause could not be determined, and one was considered accidental.

Protect Minnesota says the statistics “paints a sobering picture of the impact of gun violence on our communities and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action during the upcoming 2024 legislative session.”

“Every person lost to gun violence represents a family torn apart and a community that is suffering and mourning,” said Maggiy Emery, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota.

Come 2024, Emery says the state will consider “evidence-based solutions next year, including safe firearm storage, lost and stolen firearm reporting and creation of a state Office of Violence Prevention would help end additional needless suffering from gun violence.”

See the report here.

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