Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs gun violence executive orders after special session falls through

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) signed a pair of executive orders to limit the impact of gun violence in the state on Tuesday.

During the press conference before the signing, Walz acknowledged that his goal to ban assault weapons is not possible without the state legislature’s support, which is split evenly with Republicans owning a slight majority in the state House of Representatives and the DFL controlling the state Senate. Walz has been attempting to call a special session to address assault weapons and gun violence, but negotiations with lawmakers broke down in September.  

“Gun violence has inflicted heartbreak and loss for families in Minnesota and across the country time and time again. Enough is enough,” Walz said. “We have repeatedly met with Republican legislators to find a path forward but were met with excuses and stonewalling. So today, I am taking executive action. These executive orders lay a critical foundation for the upcoming legislative session, and now we need Republicans in the Legislature to show courage and pass comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation, including a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault-style weapons. Minnesotans are demanding action.”

The executive orders direct state agencies to develop strategies to reduce gun violence. They also establish a Statewide Safety Council to make policy and funding recommendations to the Governor’s office about gun violence prevention and reduction.

Walz began adamantly calling for more gun control measures after the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis in August injured 30 people and killed two children. Several parents of the Annunciation victims were in attendance for Walz’s executive order signing.