According to a Star Tribune poll in January, 82% of Minnesotans support tighter background checks on gun sales. Last week, Rep. Dan Schoen (DFL-St. Paul Park) and Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) introduced a bill that will do just that. HF 2897 would expand current gun safety regulations by requiring background checks on all gun sales, including those made online and at gun shows.

With support from law enforcement leaders, family members of gun victims, activists, and national gun safety organizations, this bill aims to lessen the likelihood of “felons, domestic abusers, and people suffering from dangerous mental illnesses” obtaining a firearm. Rep. Schoen emphasizes that the goals of this bill are to close loopholes and expand background checks in order to protect the rights of law-abiding citizens and to keep guns from falling into the wrong hands.

Minnesota House Republicans have vowed to block any gun violence prevention legislation this session, with House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) promising that Republicans will act as a “firewall.” This ignores the overwhelming public support for tighter gun safety measures, and the lack of Republicans’ commitment to promoting responsible gun ownership and protecting the lives of Minnesotans is clear.

Thank you, Representative Schoen and Senator Latz, for listening to the concerns of Minnesotans and taking this step to improve gun safety and reduce gun violence.