ST. PAUL, Minn. - The mayor of Minneapolis and a man injured in the September mass shooting in town are calling on Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen to help pass a bill requiring background checks on all gun sales.
John Souter (SOOT'-uhr) was expected Thursday morning to join Mayor R.T. Rybak in Minnetonka, part of Paulsen's district, to urge the Republican congressman to vote for universal background checks in Congress.
A spokesman for Paulsen did not return a request Wednesday for comment on his stance.
Expanding background checks to nearly all gun sales are at the heart of a push in the Senate to tighten federal firearm legislation. The debate has not yet hit the Republican-controlled House.
Souter was injured in the Sept. 27 shooting at Accent Signage Systems, in which five people were killed.
