Weeks after 17 people were killed in a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the Minnesota House Public Safety Committee will hear two new gun control initiatives proposed by members of the DFL.

State Rep. Dave Pinto of Saint Paul — who authored both bills — says they're aimed at stemming gun violence like the massacre in Florida. But the National Rifle Association is mobilizing its members to help defeat both bills, calling them "anti-gun." HF 1669 would require criminal background checks for all gun sales.

HF 1605 would allow law enforcement and family members to petition a court to prohibit a specific person from possessing guns if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Otherwise known as a gun violence protective order. Pinto, a Ramsey County prosecutor, feels strongly that a gun violence protective order could have prevented the shooting in Florida. The NRA disagrees.



Of HF 1605, the NRA said the legislation "is ripe for abuse, and the mere insinuation that gun ownership makes you a danger to yourself or others is offensive and insulting." The NRA is asking its allies to contact members of the House Public Safety Committee and "strongly" urge them to oppose both bills. The DFL will push the legislation at the committee hearing scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Thursday.

"Gun violence is tragic, and it is not inevitable," Pinto said in a statement. "I've introduced common-sense legislation to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and other dangerous people. These are common-sense measures that have worked well in other states and are widely supported by Minnesotans." "There are common-sense gun safety measures we can work on together to make our families, communities, and Minnesota safer," said DFL leader Melissa Hortman. "I am hopeful that we can move forward with measures to prevent senseless gun violence. These measures deserve full discussion and quick attention at the Legislature."

