A Minnesota House panel voted today to repeal a state background check for gun purchases, opting to rely instead on a federal system.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha, was described as mandate-reduction effort that would cut costs.

But Democrats and police objected to the surprise move, saying it weakens protections for the public. Republicans on the the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance Committee didn’t buy that argument and supported the proposal on a party-line 10-7 vote, sending it to the Civil Law Committee.

The bill repeals the state’s requirement that someone wanting to buy a handgun or semiautomatic miltary-style assault weapon from a federally licensed firearms dealer must first acquire a permit. Now, people can get the permit, without charge, through police after a seven-day waiting period.

Dennis Lien can be reached at 651-228-5588.