Minnesota cities can’t regulate guns. St. Paul introduces an assault weapons ban anyway

St. Paul city leaders are expected to introduce an ordinance at Wednesday’s City Council meeting banning assault weapons in the city.

It’s also an ordinance that — even if passed — would not go into effect unless the state repeals a law preventing local governments from regulating firearms.

The largely symbolic move comes after the August shooting at the Annunciation Church and School that killed two children and wounded 28 others in Minneapolis. Efforts to hold a special legislative session focused on the shooting have stalled, prompting St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and other municipal leaders to act. Push for the road To pass its own laws.

“This is far from the best path to take. The best path is for Congress to recognize that we have a gun violence crisis in America and take action,” Mayor Carter told MPR News host Nina Moeny on Wednesday. “But if they don’t, we have to be willing to do something.”

Minnesota is among 42 states have preemption laws Prevent municipal restrictions on weapons, according to Everytown. The gun safety nonprofit says The laws became popular in the 1980sfollowing backlash over an Illinois city’s decision to ban handguns.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and leaders of nine other Minnesota cities are calling on the state to drop the preemption law. These leaders include the mayors of Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Rochester, Stillwater and Shoreview.

Saint Paul was the first to formulate that city decree. In addition to prohibiting civilians from owning assault weapons, it would ban large-capacity ammunition magazines and dual triggers that double the rate of fire. Guns found in the city will be required to have serial numbers, in an effort to eliminate ghost weapons collected at home.

“I think the ordinance is a positive step, and I commend the City Council for taking action,” said Rep. Kaohle Hare, who is challenging Carter in the race for St. Paul mayor. “I support the spirit in which this has been drafted, but I think it is important not to give residents a false sense of security that there is actionable action in what is being proposed.”

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus said they would take legal action if the city moves forward with passing the law.

“The St. Paul City Council is trying to make a political statement with an illegal ordinance, and they know it,” Brian Strosser, president of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, said in a statement.

Another Carter rival, Yan Chen, said the city should use its existing tools to address gun violence.

“Because state law limits local gun control, St. Paul must defend red flag laws and use every tool we have to prevent violence before it happens,” Chen said. “I would start by addressing small crimes, which are often a warning sign of deeper problems. Our city can and must do better with the resources we already have.”

Use the audio player above to listen to a conversation with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.