Two important pro-gun bills need your immediate attention. As we reported last week, House File 1467 passed in the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee by a 10 to 7 vote. HB 1467, which is sponsored by state Representative Tony Cornish (R-24B), is now before the House Judiciary Committee and will be voted on during its hearing at 8:15 a.m. this Wednesday, May 4. The Senate companion bill sponsored by state Senator Gretchen Hoffman (R-10), Senate File 1357, is expected to be considered by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee as early as this Thursday, May 5.
Anti-gun forces have already been inundating legislators with “gun-grabbing” rhetoric against these important bills. Accordingly, it is critical that you continue to make your voices heard now. Please continue contacting members of the House Judiciary Committee and begin contacting the members of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee TODAY. To find contact information for each committee, please see below.
HF 1467 and SF 1357 contain four important firearm policy improvements:
Stand Your Ground:
HF 1467 and SF 1357 would remove a person’s “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground and protect themselves or their family anywhere they are lawfully present. It would create a presumption that an individual who forcefully or stealthily enters or attempts to enter your home or vehicle is there to cause substantial or great bodily injury or death, so the occupant may use force, including deadly force, against that individual. It would also expressly allow an individual to use force, including deadly force, to prevent a forcible felony, and it provides protections against criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits when justifiable force is used.Universal Recognition:
Currently, Minnesotans’ carry permits are only valid in 15 states. Unfortunately, Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety has not sought out any additional reciprocity agreements. By adding the proposed language, Minnesota will recognize every state that offers a carry permit and drastically improve Minnesotans’ abilities to carry in other states. The proposed language would also require Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety to enter in to reciprocity agreements.Emergency Powers Reform:
The proposed language would prohibit any government agency from confiscating or regulating the lawful possession, carrying, transfer, transportation and defensive use of firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency, such as occurred in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana.Permit-to-Purchase Reform:
HF 1467 and SF 1357 would increase the statewide validity of the permit from 1-year to 5-years. Additionally, it would provide an improved process for Minnesotan’s to appeal denials.
To find the contact information for members of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee click the following link: www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=3053&ls=
To find the contact information for members of the House Judiciary Committee click the following link: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/committee.asp?comm=87014
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