Negotiations between Walz and Minnesota legislators aim for mutual agreement in a special session focusing on firearm safety regulations
In the aftermath of the Annunciation Church shooting in Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz has announced a special session focused on gun safety. The session, scheduled for Tuesday, will bring together legislative leaders to discuss measures aimed at enhancing public safety.
The Republican proposals for the special session include the use of taxpayer money for security in private schools, including Catholic schools. Additionally, resource officers in all schools are proposed, aiming to bolster school safety. Moreover, the Republicans are advocating for more authority for doctors to deny gender-affirming care, a controversial move that has sparked debate.
On the other hand, Governor Walz has proposed a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazine clips, as well as a safe storage law to prevent unauthorised access to firearms. Liability insurance is another proposal by the governor, aimed at holding gun owners accountable for their actions.
Tougher penalties are included in the Republican proposals, but Governor Walz has also proposed a tougher red flag law to help prevent gun violence. Furthermore, more money for mental health beds is part of the Republican proposals, a move that Governor Walz and House Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, both agree is necessary due to the lack of mental health support in Minnesota.
Kathleen Anderson with Moms Demand Action has accused Governor Walz of doing "nothing" in response to the gun violence, while Esme Murphy, a reporter and Sunday morning anchor for WCCO-TV, has been vocal about the need for action. Since the Aug. 27 attack, the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action has gained 5,000 new members, underscoring the public's growing concern for gun safety.
Dr. Laurel Ries with the Minnesota Medical Association has stated that high-capacity magazines and automatic weapons are better at killing than other weapons, highlighting the potential danger posed by these weapons. The special session is expected to provide a platform for these differing viewpoints to be discussed and potentially resolved.
The date for the special session will not come until after Sept. 16, when voters in Brooklyn Park will elect someone to fill the seat left vacant by the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Governor Walz has confirmed that he has been in discussions with lawmakers for this special session, indicating a commitment to addressing the pressing issues of gun safety and mental health support.
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