St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said Thursday the city is moving to pass local gun restrictions, knowing they will be unenforceable under current state law.
Gov. Tim Walz is planning for a possible special legislative session to address firearms following the Annunciation Church shooting in south Minneapolis last week. Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, along with suburban mayors, have already called on legislators to enact gun control laws or lift the 1985 ban on city gun regulations.
“We know when we pass that ordinance that we won’t even be able to enforce it,” Carter said during his annual budget address Thursday. But, he said, if the state lifts a preemption of local restrictions, he wants St. Paul to be ready.
“If a state preemption lifts at midnight, our city ordinance will take effect at 12:01,” Carter said.
The local law would ban public possession of assault-style weapons, binary triggers, and guns in recreation centers and libraries, and would require every gun to have a serial number, effectively banning “ghost guns.”
Violations would result in misdemeanor charges.
“They are supported by the overwhelming majority of Minnesotans,” Carter said of the four provisions, “and they are banned by state law.”
Council president on board
City Council President Rebecca Noecker said the council is on board with the proposal, and Carter said city officials are preparing legislation. The measure would be expected to easily pass the City Council before heading to Carter’s desk.
