Office of Gun Violence Prevention Proposal Gets House Committee Hearing

March 5, 2026

On March 2, the Minnesota House Health Finance and Policy Committee heard HF 3668 (Bierman, DFL – Apple Valley), a bill that would establish a statewide Office of Gun Violence Prevention to research and reduce gun violence and firearm-related deaths, lead public health awareness campaigns, and serve as a resource for lawmakers. 

Lisa Mattson, MD, MMA president, testified in support of the legislation, highlighting the urgent public health crisis of firearm deaths in Minnesota, which claim more than 500 lives each year.  

“Minnesota has successfully reduced deaths from motor vehicle crashes, tobacco use, and opioid overdoses by applying a similar framework grounded in evidence, data, prevention, and collaboration,” Mattson said. “Healthcare professionals have played an important role in those efforts, and we have seen positive results. The same approach can and should be applied to firearm death and injury prevention.” 

She underscored the critical role physicians play in treating the physical and emotional trauma caused by gun violence. While praising prior legislative measures such as expanded background checks and extreme risk protection orders, Mattson emphasized that lasting progress requires sustained public health leadership, data-driven strategies, and coordinated prevention efforts.  

“In recent years, the Minnesota Legislature has taken important steps to reduce firearm-related harm,” Mattson said. “These policies will save lives, but lasting progress requires sustained public health leadership. It requires an infrastructure that supports strong data collection, careful analysis, and coordination, so prevention efforts reach the communities most affected by this public health crisis.” 

While the bill received a hearing, no further action was taken at this time. 

The Senate companion bill, SF 513 (Mann, DFL – Edina), has yet to receive a hearing.