Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz plans to call a special legislative session to consider tougher gun laws following a shootin
g last week at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 21 people injured.
The Democrat told reporters Tuesday, after welcoming children back to a public school in the Minneapolis suburb of Eagan, that he’ll be making calls to lawmakers
nd working on a plan over the next couple of days. Walz said he intends
to propose a “very comprehensive” package that could include an assault-weapons ban.
But it’s not clear if new restrictions on guns could pass the closely divided Minnesota Legislature. A special election exam
s month is expected to restore a 67-67 tie in the House under a Republican speaker, and Senate Democrats have just a one-vote majority.
“To be very candid, just in a very evenly divided (Legislature), I'm going
g to need some Republicans to break with the orthodoxy and say that we need to do something on guns,” Walz said.
GOP legislative leaders, whose support would be critical to any change
es, complaining after the governor floated the idea of a special session Friday that he had failed to consult them.
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, said she had a “long overdue” conversation with Walz later Tuesday.
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“If he decides to call a special session, whatever that we do needs to have bipartisan support,” Demuth said in a
statement, highlighting that both parties showed they could work together in this year’s regular session. “If Governor Walz and
Democrats are focused on partisan accusations and demands, this special session will not be productive for the people of Minnesota.”
Demuth indicated in an earlier statement that Republicans might be open to expanding school security funding
to include private schools, and providing more money for mental health resources.
While the governor didn't give many details of his proposals, he said they won't infringe on Second Amendment rights
s, but will protect students. He indicated his plan could include safe storage and liability insurance requirements, improve
ments to the state’s 2023 “red flag” law, and more funding for mental health. He also said he’s open to GOP ideas.
“If Minnesota lets this moment slide, and we determine that it’s OK for little ones to not be safe in a school environment or a church environment, then shame on us,” Walz said.
Separately, Vice President JD Vance will head to Minneapolis on Wednesday to pay his respects to shooting vict
ims. His wife, second lady Usha Vance, is also going, and the couple plans to hold a series of private meetings “to convey children
dolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy,” the vice president’s office said in a statement.
The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, joined by several suburban mayors, held a Capitol news conference Tuesday
to call on the Legislature to change a 1985 state law that prevents cities from enacting their own gun restrictions.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said they would strongly prefer for Congress and the Legislature to ban assault weapons
ns and high-capacity magazines at the national and state levels.
“If you’re not able to do it, or willing to do it there, give us the ability to keep our constituents safe,” Frey said. "That is our call. That is our ask."