ST PAUL, Minn. — Democrats assert they will save lives. Republicans say three bills passed by the House late Thursday will instead leave people defenseless.
That was the argument heard repeatedly for more than 11 hours on the House Floor Thursday as lawmakers debated a proposed firearms safe storage bill. That bill passed shortly after 11 p.m. by a tally of 68 to 64. One Iron Range Democrat joined with 63 Republicans in opposition.
House lawmakers then passed a measure boosting penalties for buying firearms for people who can't legally have them, a practice known as "straw purchasing." Those who buy firearms for ineligible people would now face a felony charge, up from the current misdemeanor charge, and face a potential two years in prison. That bill passed 71-59 with three Republicans joining all but one Democrat in voting in favor.
On Monday, the house passed a bill requiring that lost or stolen firearms be reported to law enforcement within 48 hours time.
“As a gun owner, veteran, hunter, and dad, I know that basic gun safety is a critical part of responsible gun ownership," said Gov. Tim Walz after House passage. "I applaud the House for passing a trio of common sense bills that would make Minnesota safer by making sure guns don’t fall into the wrong hands. I am ready to sign this legislation into law as soon as it reaches my desk.”
It is unclear what the Senate will do with all three bills. Democrats hold a one-vote advantage, and while State Sen. Nicole Mitchell has been excluded from caucusing with the DFL, she is still able to take part in floor votes. Mitchell was arrested in Detroit Lakes and charged with burglary for allegedly breaking into her stepmother's home to retrieve her late father's ashes and other items with sentimental value.
Debate on the gun storage bill was especially fierce, stretching out over 11 hours on the House floor.
"We keep our guns locked up. It's kind of simple really. I think a lot of gun owners do the same," Rep. Jamie-Becker Finn, the Roseville Democrat who is a lifetime hunter and the lead author of the bill, told her colleagues.
"The leading cause of death of children in this country is guns. And, as a parent and a gun owner, I'm not okay with that. None of us should be okay with that."
Her bill would require firearms that aren't in use or in direct control of the owner be kept locked up, either in a locked gun room, a safe, or unloaded with trigger lock in place. The penalties for negligent storage would vary, depending on the situation.
It would require guns being transported in vehicles to be stored in the trunk or inside a gun case.
A simple unsecured gun violation would be a petty misdemeanor. If a child is present, it would be a gross misdemeanor. If a child gets the unsecured gun, it would be a felony punishable by up to three years in prison. If the unsecured gun is used to harm someone it would be a more serious felony with a penalty of up to five years in prison.
"My goal with this bill is to reduce the number of Minnesotans killed by guns," said Becker-Finn, who is a prosecutor outside of her legislative job. "Nobody asked me to carry this bill. I'm not being paid to carry this bill. And I really, truly do not want to take away your guns!"
RELATED: Lawmakers push to make straw gun purchases a felony offense after recent shooting in Burnsville
Republicans spent hours speaking against the bill and attempting to amend it. The main thrust of their argument was that those proposed rules would make it harder for otherwise law-abiding gun owners to defend against home invaders.
"What if a burglar comes up into my bedroom, and I have to say, 'Wait a minute while I get my trigger lock off and get my gun loaded. Wait a minute while I went to my gun safe, get my loaded gun out,' so I can protect myself?" Rep. Peggy Bennett of Albert Lea told colleagues.
Rep. Jim Nash, a Waconia Republican and long-time ardent defender of gun rights, said Minnesotans need to feel they can respond instantly to looming threats.
"We never want to think that crazy people are going to do crazy things, but here's what – we're not running short on crazy people in Minnesota! We're well stocked!"
Rep. Krista Knudsen of Lake Shore said if the bill becomes law the only way to keep a loaded gun at the ready would be to always have it on her person, including when she's in her pajamas making cookies with her children.
"How ridiculous would it be to expect me to have my 9-millimeter strapped to my hip as I am enjoying some quality time with my little girls!"
Rep. Mary Franson, an Alexandria Republican, proposed an exception for those who are being stalked or harassed and have taken out protection orders against abusers. That amendment failed to take hold.
One key difference in this year's bill compared to last year's version is it no longer requires ammunition to be stored separately from firearms. But that didn't win over any Republicans, who kept he debate from noon to well past 10:00 p.m., which has become a frequent tactic used by the GOP to put the brakes on the DFL majority's agenda at the Capitol.
Becker-Finn's bill contains many exceptions including guns used at a school shooting sport event, or those at a facility designed for firearms training and target shooting. Police engaged in official duty or working inside a law enforcement center would also be exempted from the storage rules.
Democrats argued it's not just about keeping guns out of the hands of children and felons who are barred from possessing weapons. They assert the enhanced safe storage would also buy critical time for those considering suicide to reconsider their plans.
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