St. Paul passes contingent assault‑weapons ban; gun‑rights group files lawsuit
St. Paul’s City Council unanimously approved a contingent ordinance (7–0) that would ban public possession of assault‑style firearms, magazines holding more than 20 rounds and binary triggers, require serial numbers to curb ghost guns, and bar guns in most city‑owned spaces — but the law is written to take effect only if state firearm preemption is repealed, amended or judicially invalidated. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus immediately sued in Ramsey County, calling the measure unlawful, while the city attorney says St. Paul is prepared to defend the contingent approach amid the broader push by about 17 Minnesota cities and significant public comment (including over 700 “vote no” emails).
📌 Key Facts
- On Nov. 12, 2025, the St. Paul City Council unanimously approved a firearms ordinance that bans public possession of assault‑style firearms, large‑capacity magazines (more than 20 rounds), and binary triggers; requires serial numbers (targeting ghost guns); restricts guns in most city‑owned spaces (libraries, rec centers, parks, Como Zoo); and authorizes signage, penalties and local enforcement — Mayor Melvin Carter is expected to sign it.
- The ordinance is explicitly contingent: it would take effect only if Minnesota’s statewide firearm preemption law is repealed, amended, or judicially invalidated, meaning it is not enforceable while state preemption remains in place.
- The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and allied gun‑rights groups threatened to sue when the measure was introduced and filed a complaint in Ramsey County District Court immediately after the council vote, calling the ordinance unlawful and a "legal gimmick."
- St. Paul City Attorney Lyndsey Olson said the city is prepared to defend the contingent approach and argued contingent ordinances have not been found to violate state preemption; Gun Owners Caucus general counsel Rob Doar countered that state preemption prohibits the city from passing such an ordinance even if it is written as unenforceable now.
- Public input was sharply divided: a Nov. 5 City Council hearing featured 10 of 14 speakers in favor, while council offices received more than 700 'vote no' emails submitted via a Gun Owners Caucus template; council leaders framed the vote as a readiness signal and "the least we can do."
- The ordinance references the state 'assault weapon' definition, sets the large‑capacity magazine threshold at more than 20 rounds, and includes limited exceptions (e.g., older unserialized guns and unloaded, locked transport through the city).
- St. Paul is the first in a coalition of about 17 Minnesota cities exploring similar contingent local gun restrictions; recent legal developments — including a judge striking down Minnesota’s 2024 binary‑trigger ban — make the timing and enforceability legally uncertain.
📰 Sources (7)
St. Paul assault weapons ban passes, but is unenforceable for now
New information:
- Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has filed a lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court challenging the ordinance.
- The FOX 9 report links/contains the complaint and quotes the suit calling the measure a 'legal gimmick' that 'goes too far.'
- St. Paul is the first in a coalition of 17 Minnesota cities aiming to adopt similar measures; Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, Richfield and Rochester are among those exploring action.
St. Paul City Council approves ordinance to ban ‘assault weapons’ within city limits
New information:
- Council approved the ordinance on a 7–0 vote and Mayor Melvin Carter is expected to sign it.
- The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus announced it is filing a lawsuit immediately after the vote; chair Bryan Strawser issued statements calling the ordinance illegal.
- St. Paul City Attorney Lyndsey Olson said the city is prepared to defend the measure and argued contingent ordinances have not been found to violate state firearm preemption.
- Article reiterates the ordinance’s definitions, including use of the state 'assault weapon' definition and a 'large-capacity magazine' threshold of more than 20 rounds.
St. Paul City Council unanimously approves firearms regulation ordinance
New information:
- The St. Paul City Council unanimously approved the firearms regulation ordinance on Nov. 12, 2025.
- The ordinance explicitly takes effect only if state preemption is repealed, amended, or judicially invalidated.
- Public input metrics: more than 700 emails (via a Gun Owners Caucus template) urged a 'no' vote; at the public hearing, 10 of 14 speakers supported the ordinance.
- Key provisions reiterated: bans public possession of assault weapons, large‑capacity magazines, and binary triggers; requires serial numbers (prohibits ghost guns); restricts guns in sensitive public spaces (parks, libraries, rec centers, city buildings); mandates signage; sets penalties and authorizes local enforcement.
- Council leadership comments: Vice President HwaJeong Kim called the measures 'the least that we can do'; President Rebecca Noecker said passage is a readiness signal, not symbolic.
- Gun Owners Caucus renewed threat to sue if enacted, arguing state preemption makes the ordinance unlawful.
St. Paul to ban assault-style guns in public, but rules remain symbolic unless state law changes
New information:
- Council is expected to approve a package banning public possession of assault‑style firearms, magazines of 20+ rounds, and binary triggers, and requiring serial numbers (effectively banning 'ghost guns').
- Ordinance bars firearms in most city‑owned spaces (e.g., libraries, rec centers, parks, Como Zoo) and includes exceptions for older unserialized guns and for unloaded, locked transport through the city.
- Measures are explicitly contingent on repeal/invalidation of Minnesota’s firearm preemption; thus they would not be enforceable unless state law changes.
- Gun Owners Caucus says it will sue even if the ordinance is unenforced; City Attorney Lyndsey Olson says the city is prepared to defend the contingent approach.
- Context note: a judge struck down Minnesota’s 2024 binary‑trigger ban earlier this year.
St. Paul gun ordinance: From ‘100% against’ to strong support, City Council hears from residents
New information:
- A City Council public hearing was held Nov. 5; 10 of 14 speakers supported the ordinance.
- The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus reiterated it will sue if the ordinance is enacted; general counsel Rob Doar argued the city cannot pass an ordinance that violates state preemption even if not enforced.
- City Council received more than 700 'vote no' emails sent via a caucus template.
- The Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance next Wednesday.
- Ordinance text includes a contingency clause: it would take effect only if state firearm preemption is repealed, amended, or judicially invalidated.
- Advocacy context: Moms Demand Action representative said the Minnesota chapter has added more than 5,000 members since the Aug. 27 Annunciation Church shooting.
Gun owners group says it’ll sue if St. Paul moves forward with firearms ordinance
New information:
- A gun owners group says it will sue if St. Paul moves forward with its proposed firearms ordinance.
- The litigation threat is directly tied to the city’s planned introduction of the ordinance on Oct. 22.