Minnesota Governor Calls Special Legislative Session Focused on Firearm Regulations

Comprehensive Gun Control Measures Proposed for Next Week

Minnesota governor Tim Walz, alongside aligned DFL legislative leadership, unveiled this week the specifics of an upcoming special session centered on firearm legislation, scheduled to commence next week.

The Governor—who served as Kamala Harris's running mate selection for Vice President in 2024—joined DFL leaders in proposing an extensive package of gun control measures. The proposals include prohibiting "assault weapons and high-capacity magazines" and banning Binary triggers. Additional legislative reforms under consideration encompass closing the "ghost gun loophole" and strengthening the state's "red flag" Extreme Risk Protection Order procedures.

Bipartisan Outreach Includes Public Safety Enhancements

School Security and Mental Health Initiatives

In an effort to garner Republican backing, the proposed agenda also incorporates expanded funding for school safety programs and mental health services, along with enhanced criminal penalties for violent crimes involving firearms.

"This proposal meets the expectations that Minnesotans have for their elected leaders – that we respond to threats to public safety and take direct action on guns," Walz stated on Tuesday. "We will not let this issue simply go away. Our offer addresses mental health, school safety, support for law enforcement, and most importantly, common sense gun laws."

Advocacy Groups Rally Behind Special Session

Coalition Pushes for "Weapons of War" Ban

The initiative has received strong endorsement from multiple gun control advocacy organizations, including Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, Protect Minnesota, Brady, and Giffords. These groups have actively urged Walz to convene the special session to prohibit "weapons of war," particularly in response to the shooting incident at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

Political Landscape Presents Challenges

Legislature Split Along Party Lines

Walz's DFL party maintains control of the state Senate by a narrow margin of one vote, while Republicans hold a 67-66 majority in the state House. House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska indicated that passage of an "assault weapon" prohibition faces significant obstacles in both chambers.

"I don't think there are any Republican House votes in favor of those kinds of proposals," Niska stated.

Uncertain Path Forward for Gun Control Package

The razor-thin legislative divisions suggest that advancing the proposed firearm restrictions will require substantial negotiation and potential compromise between the parties, with the outcome remaining uncertain as the special session approaches.