Leading the charge in a statewide movement to curb gun violence, the City of Saint Paul has set a precedent with its new ordinance that bans assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. Revealed by officials, this legislation is poised as a proactive measure awaiting State lawmakers to lift the current preemption laws. Saint Paul's Mayor Carter expressed urgency for adapting these local laws, saying, "Saint Paul stands ready to act on day one when the state lifts preemption," emphasizing the need for action now rather than later, amidst often divisive debates surrounding gun control.
While the ordinance is not immediately effective, it lays out five clear provisions, including bans on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and binary triggers, as well as measures against untraceable "ghost guns". Aiming to increase public safety, it extends to sensitive public spaces, mandating signage to inform and compel citizen compliance. Despite being lifted by lawmakers, the ordinance exempts certain groups, securing rights for active-duty law enforcement and military personnel, alongside federal firearms curators and those merely transporting firearms in accordance with safe storage laws.
The unanimous City Council vote stands as both a commitment and a call to action, set one month after Mayor Carter's coalition declaration alongside other elected officials to address this pertinent issue. Council President Noecker framed the move as self-reflective rather than solely outward-facing, suggesting, "This is not just us pointing fingers at other levels of government, but to point the finger at ourselves and say, ‘what can we do?’" This sentiment reinforces the coalition's readiness to implement these regulations once state preemption is lifted.
Saint Paul's resolve isn't solitary, as it forms part of a larger coalition that includes 17 Minnesota cities. Each city plans to enact similar legislative frameworks to reduce the epidemic of gun violence. Local leaders from Minneapolis, Eden Prairie, and the breadth of other partnering cities work in conjunction with organizations such as the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety to champion these preventative measures. Striking down the law that has long impeded local gun control efforts, this coalition underscores the broader determination for change, even as the work hinges on the state's legal pivot.
