Walz Signs Two Executive Orders to Address Gun Violence

December 18, 2025

Gov. Tim Walz is using the power of the pen to accomplish what he was unable to accomplish with a special session this past fall - address the issue of gun violence.

On December 16, he signed two executive orders (EO) - one establishes the Governor's Statewide Safety Council to explore ways to reduce gun violence; another looks at the costs of gun violence in the state and educating gun owners about safe storage.  

Walz had urged legislators to pass stronger firearm safety legislation in a special session following the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in late August but never reached an agreement with Republican leaders on a public safety package. 

The MMA, which has supported Walz’s proposed policies to reduce death and injury due to firearm, plans to advocate at the Capitol for stronger gun violence prevention measures such as: 

• a full statewide ban on assault weapons;      

• a statewide ban on high-capacity magazines;     

• a statewide requirement that firearms be locked, unloaded, and stored separate from ammunition. These are known as a “safe storage” laws, and;     

• the removal of the current prohibition on local municipalities from enacting stricter firearm regulations than the state.  

On December 17, NAMI Minnesota released a statement calling for a ban on semiautomatic military-style assault weapons and large capacity magazines. 

The 2026 legislative session begins February 17.