MN House passes gun ‘safe storage’ bill over Republican objections

(KWNO)-The Democrat controlled Minnesota House late Thursday night passed a gun “safe storage” bill. It would make it illegal to store firearms unless they’re unloaded and trigger-locked — or in a locked storage unit or gun room. Backers say it will reduce deaths and serious injuries from children accessing guns, and fewer Minnesotans will take their own lives.

“Anything that’s gonna disrupt that person’s thought process in that dark time, any way we can slow that down and make sure those folks don’t access guns, is really, really important,” said Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville).

Probably the longest and most heated debate came when Republican proposed that victims of stalking and those seeking restraining orders be exempt from gun-storage requirements.

“Many women practice over and over, how can I get to my firearm the quickest, playing out scenarios in our minds of somebody breaking in on us. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, it’s not fun that we even have to go there, but it’s a reality,” said Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover).

Shoreview Democrat Kelly Moller said the proposed law does not prevent women from being prepared to defend themselves. But Moller says Republican’s proposal would have allowed someone to leave multiple loaded guns around the house, risking access by a child.

Scott Graham / Unsplash

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