In an effort to curb gun violence within its borders, Saint Paul has announced a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating firearms more stringently. The Saint Paul City Council will introduce this legislation for consideration at their upcoming meeting on October 22, as reported on the city's official website on October 16th. This move comes after a coalition of Minnesota local elected officials, including Saint Paul's Mayor Carter, declared a coordinated endeavor to tackle gun violence at a press conference at the State Capitol on October 14.
According to the City of Saint Paul's announcement, the proposed ordinance includes banning the public possession of assault weapons, large-capacity magazines, and binary triggers. Furthermore, it seeks to prohibit "ghost guns," require firearms to be transported unloaded and locked, and limit guns in places such as parks and city buildings. While the proposal lays out a framework for enforcement and penalties, these cannot be enacted unless the state's preemption laws are revised or repealed.
Mayor Carter emphasized the push toward action on assault weapons, stating, "Our children, our families, and our Governor are calling Minnesota to action on assault weapons," and acknowledged that local leadership would step up in the absence of state legislature efforts. Council President Rebecca Noecker also voiced her support, highlighting that the city had already taken important steps and that this ordinance built on Saint Paul's foundation of community protection, as she told the city's news outlet.
The ordinance comes with certain exemptions, allowing active-duty law enforcement and military personnel, federal firearms curators, and the transportation of firearms through the city under specific conditions. These exceptions are accompanied by the city's existing safe storage ordinance, adopted in 2022, which obligates gun owners to store firearms unloaded and in a locked, secure space. Councilmember Anika Bowie put a personal accent on the issue, saying, "Gun violence is not abstract. It's personal," in a statement from the same press release, signaling her commitment to the cause.
Saint Paul's initiative is part of a broader movement, with several Twin Cities suburbs, including Minneapolis and Edina, pursuing similar ordinances. The coalition advocating for these measures also comprises notable advocacy groups and academic establishments like the University of Minnesota Law School Gun Violence Prevention Clinic and Everytown for Gun Safety. Residents and community advocates are expected to voice their opinions at a public hearing slated for November 5, as the Council moves forward with discussions on the legislation.
