Proposal would allow local governments to ban weapons on land they own, lease

Rights are rarely absolute or unconditional.

You can’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater when there is no fire. You can’t blast your political manifesto through a megaphone at 3 a.m.

And like the First Amendment, there are limits to Second Amendment rights, too. In Minnesota, guns are not allowed in schools or courthouses, or in any private business wishing to ban them from their property.

But state law does not currently empower local governments to ban guns from their workplaces and other community spaces, such as a city council chamber, municipal library, or city-owned recreation center.

Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul) sponsors HF2828 that would allow local governments to post signs prohibiting or restricting a person from possessing a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or explosives in buildings, or on land owned or leased by a local government.

The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee laid the bill over Tuesday for consideration in a future committee bill.

The bill would empower local governments, Hussein said, by giving communities the option to craft targeted solutions that keep their residents safe while still respecting Second Amendment rights.

Several government officials testified about feeling unsafe because of the presence of guns and other weapons in their workspaces. They included Minneapolis City Council Member Linea Palmisano, parks and recreation officials from Ramsey County and St. Paul, and Pang Yang, Ramsey County Library deputy director.

“I myself have seen people walk in with crossbows, with knives of varying sizes,” Yang said. “My colleagues across the state have had to engage with people with guns placed on public computer tables in views of others and in potentially dangerous situations.”

A person who enters a premise with a weapon would face a misdemeanor penalty.

Rep. Patricia Mueller (R-Austin) said the bill is not about stopping violent gun crimes, but focuses on demonizing law-abiding, permit-carrying gun owners.

“We already have the tools available to prevent a lot of gun violence with many of the laws that we have that we should actually enforce,” she said.