Minnesota House of Representatives Committee
Seeks Public Comment on Gun-Control Measures

Three days of public hearings will be held before the Public Safety, Finance and Policy of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Feb. 5-7, when testimony will be heard on a range of possible legislation of concern to hunters, target shooters and firearms owners.

Chaired by Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL-St. Paul), the committee expects to hear a variety of viewpoints with an eye toward crafting a comprehensive bill that could include any of the following measures:

• An outright ban on modern sporting rifles, mislabeled as "assault weapons"
• Magazine capacity restrictions
• Expanding mandatory background checks for the purchase of handguns and semi-automatic rifles to gun shows and private transfers
• Minimum penalties for individuals in possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime
• Tightening background checks to disqualify potential purchasers with severe mental health problems
• Allowing teachers and other school employees to carry loaded firearms in schools

It is vital that Minnesota lawmakers understand that those in our industry, as well as law-abiding firearms owners from throughout the state are paying close attention to the legislative process. We need to be heard. While we all abhor violence and want to stop future incidents, we must not allow recent tragedies inflicted on our society by the actions of deranged individuals to be used as the justification for passage of laws that will do nothing to prevent violence and criminal behavior, but that will surely affect law-abiding citizens.

Hearings will begin Tuesday, Feb. 5, starting at 10 a.m. in Room 5 of the State Office Building in St. Paul. For directions, click here. Evening sessions will be convened if necessary.

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