SAINT PAUL, Minn. — This evening, the Minnesota House of Representatives will approve legislation that would expand criminal background checks on all gun sales and establish extreme risk protection orders. Passing gun violence prevention legislation is a top priority for House DFLers. Despite overwhelming support among Minnesotans and bipartisan support in other states, Senate Republicans have so far refused to take action to prevent senseless gun violence.
“Criminal background checks and red flag laws are two overdue solutions which will help stop senseless gun violence,” said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), the House Majority Whip. “The Minnesotans who have been vocally advocating for changes to our outdated gun laws are proving that people can make a difference. I’m proud to stand with them in voting ‘yes’ on these important bills, and it’s time for the Minnesota Senate to do the same.”
Criminal background checks on all gun sales are already required in 21 states and the District of Columbia. States that have taken this approach have experienced lower homicide rates, lower firearm suicide rates, and less firearm trafficking.
“The two pieces of legislation we’re approving today are reasonable steps to help ensure all Minnesotans can feel safe whether they are at school, at work, or anywhere else in their community,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth). “Too many lives have been lost as a result of guns being in the wrong hands. Criminal background checks and red flag laws have helped prevent tragedies in other states in which they’ve been adopted, and I’m confident they will in Minnesota, too.”
Minnesota’s current background check system has loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to obtain guns through online dealers and gun shows. Expanding criminal background checks would help ensure that people who are ineligible from owning or possessing a firearm aren’t able to do so. Criminal background checks would be required on all gun sales, with common-sense exceptions such as person-to-person transfers between family members and transfers that occur while hunting, at the range, or during a competition.
Extreme risk protection orders (ERPO) would help keep guns out of the hands of people who’ve proven to be dangerous to themselves or others. This tool allows law enforcement to temporarily restrict access to firearms if a court of law determines that an individual poses a significant danger. ERPO laws have reduced firearm suicides, homicides, and mass shootings in other states, and they are currently in use in 17 states and the District of Columbia.