Minnesota: Two Anti-Gun Bills Fail in Committee

Today, the Minnesota House Public Safety Committee tabled two anti-gun bills, House File 1669 and House File 1605.

House File 1669 would ban most non-commercial firearm transfers, including loans between friends, without first having to go through a background check, and paying the associated fees. 

House File 1605 would create a “Gun Violence Protection Order” that would allow an individual’s family members, household member, chief law enforcement officer or city/county attorney to petition the court for an order to remove someone’s Second Amendment rights if they consider the individual to be a danger to themselves or others simply because the individual possesses a firearm.  The petitioner would be able to request this order without providing clear and convincing evidence that is typically required when restricting a person’s fundamental rights.  However, the respondent would have to provide their own clear and convincing evidence in order to prove that they are not a threat to themselves or others.  This legislation is ripe for abuse, and the mere insinuation that gun ownership makes you a danger to yourself or others is offensive and insulting.

Thank you to those members and Second Amendment supporters who contacted their lawmakers in opposition to these bills.