STATE OF MINNESOTA ELEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
Veterans Affairs Division
MINUTES
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair of the Veterans Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 4:03 PM on July 29, 2015, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
DETTMER, Bob Chair
HANCOCK, Dave Vice Chair
DAVIDS, Greg
FISCHER, Peter
LUECK, Dale
O’DRISCOLL, Tim
PERSELL, John
PUGH, Cindy
WARD, JoAnn
Members excused:
LESCH, John
NEWTON, Jerry
A quorum was present.
Representative Peter Fischer moved to approve the minutes of March 23, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
An informational hearing relating to the safety and defense of Minnesota National Guard recruiting facilities was held.
Representative Josh Heintzeman testified about legislation he is working on with Senator Gazelka that would allow members of the National Guard and Air National Guard to carry weapons on recruiting stations in Minnesota.
Major General Richard C. Nash, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, testified about the safety and wellbeing of members of the Minnesota National Guard.
Jason Quick, the Minnesota State Director of Concerned Veterans for America, testified about the need to arm members of the Minnesota National Guard and the action which other states have taken to protect the members of their National Guard units.
Professor Joseph E. Olson, Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance (GOCRA) chairman and Air Force JAG veteran, testified in favor of arming National Guard members in Minnesota and discussed a few options for allowing Minnesota National Guard members to receive licenses to carry under the existing permit system.
The Veterans Affairs Division adjourned at 5:42 PM.
Representative Bob Dettmer, Chair
Jeremiah Wingstedt, Committee Legislative Assistant