Minnesota Physicians Urge Gov. Walz to Call Special Session to Address Firearm Violence

September 11, 2025

The MMA and other physician advocacy organizations sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, on September 5 urging him to call a special legislative session to “pass legislation to address the devastating death and injuries from firearms and gun violence.”  

The letter specifically urged lawmakers to pass:   

1) a statewide ban on assault weapons;   

2) a statewide ban on high-capacity magazines;  

3) a statewide requirement that firearms be stored locked, unloaded, and separate from ammunition; and   

4) removal of the current prohibition on local municipalities enacting stricter firearm regulations than the state.  

 “Firearm-related death and injury is a public health crisis,” said the letter signed by leaders from the MMA, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, the Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Physicians, Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Minnesota.  “The leading cause of death for children in the state of Minnesota is not cancer, car crashes, or overdose – it is firearms.”  

The physician advocates called upon state lawmakers “to enact evidence-based firearm policies to save lives and protect the well-being of all Minnesotans, but especially those who are most vulnerable – children and adolescents.”  

As of press time, Gov. Walz had vowed to call a session but had not done so yet.  

The MMA sent out an Action Alert to members on September 10, urging them to reach out to their senator and representative to support gun control legislation.  

Stay tuned to News Now and MMA social media for updates.