Democratic gains raise odds for gun control in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS -- A shift in the balance of power at the state Capitol has boosted the odds of lawmakers passing bills to reduce gun violence during the upcoming legislative session.
The Democratic takeover of the Minnesota House includes so many freshmen who support tougher gun laws that staunch gun control opponents now consider the chamber to be hostile territory. The Senate, where the GOP maintains a one-vote majority, remains a question mark, though the chamber's top Republican, Majority Leader Paul Gazelka of Nisswa, has signaled "some openness" to discussing gun proposals that got blocked in previous sessions .
Sen. Ron Latz, a Democrat from St. Louis Park, said he expects some kind of bill will become law for universal background checks for gun purchasers. He said he also expects approval of a "red flag" law that would let families and police get court orders to temporarily take guns away from people who are a danger to themselves or others. He lost a procedural effort to force a vote on both proposals last session.
"We have a pretty good chance this year of convincing suburban legislators who might have been reluctant in the past to vote for these bills."
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