Walz vows aggressive executive actions as gun special‑session talks stall
Gov. Tim Walz said he will "roll out a series of incredibly aggressive executive actions" on gun control as negotiations over a gun-focused special session have stalled, with a legislative Senate workgroup slowed by partisan fighting and GOP leaders disputing his characterization that they "won’t budge." DFL lawmakers are pressing bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, registration and surrender requirements, expanded mental-health services and a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention, while Walz is staging town halls (featuring guests like Gabby Giffords) and has floated a constitutional amendment as victims’ families and Attorney General Keith Ellison press for action.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz said Dec. 12 he will “roll out a series of incredibly aggressive executive actions” on gun control because legislative leaders are stonewalling; he cited families affected by the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church mass shooting but gave no details about the actions yet.
- Negotiations over a gun-focused special session remain deadlocked: Walz met with bipartisan legislative leaders with no agreement, GOP leaders say DFLs have not provided bill language and dispute Walz’s characterization, and leaders continue to meet without setting a date.
- DFL proposals center on banning assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines (including a proposed ban on new sales), with accompanying measures lawmakers have described: requiring registration of existing owners, prohibiting transfers, surrendering unwanted firearms to the Minnesota BCA, and exemptions for law enforcement, military and dealers (a bill to this effect was filed by Sen. Zaynab Mohamed).
- Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison have both publicly endorsed pursuing a constitutional amendment to ban assault weapons; constitutional experts note the amendment process requires majorities in both legislative chambers and a statewide majority of voters (with non-votes counting as no) and said such an amendment could face federal legal challenges under recent U.S. Supreme Court Second Amendment jurisprudence.
- As legislative talks stalled, Walz and DFL lawmakers shifted to public outreach: he announced statewide town halls on gun violence (including stops in Waconia and Stillwater), the events feature figures such as former Rep. Gabby Giffords, and Republicans criticized some gatherings as campaign-style rather than open public forums.
- Workgroup hearings and committee sessions have frequently stalled amid partisan disagreements over priorities (assault-weapon bans vs. school security and mental-health measures); debates grew heated over safe-storage policies and other proposals.
- Opponents of bans — including the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and GOP leaders — cite studies of the 1994 federal assault-weapons ban, argue for mental-health interventions and school-safety investments, and point to shortages in hospital beds for civil mental-health commitments as complicating proposals.
- Survivors, parents and medical personnel have given emotional, detailed testimony about the Annunciation shooting (including severe .223 round injuries and a doctor’s account of treating a 12‑year‑old), driving public pressure on lawmakers and the governor for more aggressive action.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, rifles were used in 13 homicides in Minnesota, compared to 145 handguns and 44 firearms of unstated type.
2024 BCA Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
In 2024, Black individuals accounted for 98 out of 160 known homicide offenders in Minnesota, while White individuals accounted for 50.
2024 Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
In 2023, young Black males ages 15-34 made up 1.2% of Minnesota's population but accounted for 40% of all gun homicide deaths.
Gun Violence in Minnesota — Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
📰 Sources (12)
Walz will take 'incredibly aggressive executive actions' on gun control
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz said he will 'roll out a series of incredibly aggressive executive actions' on gun control due to legislative 'stonewalling.'
- He made the remarks Dec. 12 at a St. Paul news conference (held for a fraud‑prevention initiative).
- Walz cited families affected by the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church mass shooting as a motivation; he did not detail specific executive actions yet.
Annunciation shooting: Parents, community demand change amid healing
New information:
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison publicly endorsed pursuing a constitutional amendment to ban assault weapons, saying it could pass the Legislature this session and go to voters next November.
- Parents and community members at a Mounds View town hall delivered emotional testimonies and called for bans on AR‑style rifles and high‑capacity magazines.
- Specific survivor detail cited: a parent described injuries from .223 rounds at Annunciation, underscoring high‑velocity trauma concerns.
How one Minnesota swing-district Democrat decided to support an assault-style weapons ban
New information:
- DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger (Afton), a swing‑district moderate who had been undecided, now says she supports full bans on assault‑style weapons and high‑capacity magazines.
- Seeberger stated she will vote “yes on anything and everything” that will reduce gun violence.
- She is appearing with Gov. Tim Walz at a gun‑violence‑prevention town hall in Stillwater on Monday.
Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords pushes for action on gun laws in Minnesota
New information:
- Details of a DFL-hosted gun-violence prevention town hall at Waconia High School featuring Gabby Giffords and Gov. Tim Walz
- Walz publicly reiterated willingness to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot on gun policy
- Dr. Tim Kummer, first physician at the Annunciation shooting, described severity of injuries to a 12-year-old victim and rifle damage
- DFL House Leader Zach Stephenson called for comprehensive prevention, including removing 'weapons of war' and addressing mental health/school safety
- House Speaker Lisa Demuth criticized the event as a campaign-style rally and not truly open to the public; DFL said town halls are open and scheduled the next one for Rochester on Nov. 6
Walz to headline town hall in Waconia on gun violence
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz will headline a town hall in Waconia focused on gun violence.
- The event adds a specific metro stop to the governor’s series of public town halls amid the special‑session stalemate.
Walz says he’ll hold town halls on guns without agreement on special session
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz says he will hold town halls on guns despite no agreement with legislative leaders on convening a special session.
- The announcement signals a shift to public outreach as negotiations remain deadlocked.
Gov. Walz suggests constitutional amendment to address gun violence
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz floated pursuing a Minnesota constitutional amendment to ban the sale and possession of assault rifles during remarks at the MinnPost Festival in Minneapolis.
- Constitutional law expert David Schultz detailed the amendment process (majority votes in both chambers; majority of all voters statewide with non‑votes counting as no) and said passage is unlikely given the divided Legislature.
- Schultz also noted a constitutional amendment banning assault weapons could face federal challenges under recent U.S. Supreme Court Second Amendment jurisprudence.
- Walz has said he plans to call a special session on gun control; no date set.
Gun control special session stuck on runway, here’s why
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz met with bipartisan legislative leaders on Thursday but reported no agreement on a gun-focused special session; leaders will meet again Friday.
- DFL push centers on a ban on new sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; Walz says a House and Senate majority may support a vote.
- House Speaker Lisa Demuth says DFLers have not presented bill language and asserts there aren’t enough votes for a ban; GOP prefers focusing on school security and mental health.
- Specific DFL senators (Rob Kupec, Grant Hauschild, Judy Seeberger) are cited as potential opponents on some new gun measures.
- House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson emphasized the issue’s urgency with personal context and called for votes to test support.
Gov. Walz: GOP won’t budge on gun control; House speaker calls it ‘mischaracterization’
New information:
- Gov. Tim Walz said Republicans "won’t budge" on DFL-backed gun-control measures during ongoing negotiations.
- House Speaker Lisa Demuth rejected Walz’s characterization, calling it a “mischaracterization” and asserting the GOP has engaged in talks.
- The exchange underscores continued stalemate over possible gun-safety legislation ahead of any special session.
Partisan fighting stymies Minnesota Senate's meeting on gun violence
New information:
- The workgroup held a second hearing on Wednesday, where progress stalled amid partisan disagreements.
- Chair Sen. Ron Latz said GOP members failed to bring proposals despite his requests since Sept. 9 and repeatedly gauged support that lacked Republican backing.
- Debate over safe-storage policy grew tense; Sen. Keri Heintzeman defended GOP approaches, while Sen. Zaynab Mohamed questioned GOP motives and Sen. Eric Lucero alleged a decorum violation.
- Lawmakers revisited proposals from Monday including an assault-weapon ban, expanded mental-health services, and funding a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
DFL lawmakers propose assault weapons, high-capacity magazines bans
New information:
- Sen. Zaynab Mohamed proposed a bill to ban military-style assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber or larger firearms, and undetectable firearms.
- Existing owners would be required to register these firearms; transfers would be prohibited; unwanted firearms must be surrendered to the Minnesota BCA; exceptions for law enforcement, military, and dealers.
- Parents of Annunciation shooting victims urged action in testimony, providing specific quotes about trauma and school safety.
- Rob Doar of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus opposed the bans, citing a DOJ study on the 1994 federal AWB, emphasizing mental health interventions, and noting bed shortages for civil commitments.
- Lawmakers also reviewed additional proposals addressing mental health at the hearing.