February 2, 2023
Several bills aimed to reduce death and injury from firearms are set to be heard in the House Public Safety Committee on February 3.
The first bill, HF 396 (Becker-Finn, DFL – Roseville), requires that firearms be secured with a locking device, unloaded, and kept separately from ammunition. The “safe storage” proposal attempts to keep children from accessing firearms and prevent death and injury caused by accidental discharges and suicide attempts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearms are the number one cause of death for children in the United States, many from unintended discharge or suicide. The proposal also aims to reduce theft and illegal possession of firearms.
Another bill, HF 14 (Pinto, DFL – St. Paul), would implement universal background checks for firearm transfers. This bill would require the state to conduct background checks for most private firearm transfers. The intent of the measure is to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of those who are prohibited by law from possessing them, such as convicted felons, domestic abusers, and individuals with certain mental health conditions.
Lastly, HF 15 (Frazier, DFL – New Hope) would permit certain law enforcement and family members to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Otherwise known as “red flag” laws, the bill would temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. One intended outcome of the bill is to reduce the rate of firearm suicides. In Minnesota, nearly 69 percent of firearm deaths are suicides. Suicide attempts by firearm are nearly always fatal, as attempts involving firearms are 2.6 times more lethal than the second most lethal suicide method - suffocation.
The MMA has long supported these policies and will be testifying in support on February 3. The MMA also supports other common-sense changes to the state’s firearm laws, including authorization of firearm ownership data for public health research or epidemiologic investigation and efforts to raise awareness of the role that firearms play in suicides.
No hearings are scheduled in the Senate yet.
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