Will Minnesota Ban “Weapons of War”? Gov. Walz Calls Special Session
Gov. Tim Walz says he plans to call a special session of the Minnesota state legislature to take on gun reform.
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Gov. Tim Walz says he plans to call a special session of the Minnesota state legislature to tackle the issue of guns.
The announcement, made at a local elementary school on Tuesday, comes on the heels of a school shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Anti-gun groups like Moms Demand Action, Brady, and Giffords, among others, immediately called for the governor to hold a special session to ban so-called “weapons of war” in the state.
Walz announced his plans to call the session, highlighting the need for new gun restrictions and reforms.
"The sad reality is that what happened last week is preventable, because so many nations around the world do it," Walz said. "And we cannot resign ourselves to believe that our little ones can't be safe in what should be and always is the most safe environments they can possibly be in."
Our public schools went back to school today with heavy hearts.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) September 3, 2025
We can’t resign ourselves to believe that our little ones can’t be safe from guns in what should be the safest possible environment. pic.twitter.com/rZ9YaKMk2F
He added, "I am not going to allow anyone to try and make the case that the United States is unique in either mental health issues or other things. The things that make America unique in terms of shootings is we just have more guns and the wrong kinds of guns that are on the streets."
Lawmakers were originally set to resume regular session in February, but calling this special session would force legislators to debate gun-related measures ahead of that time.
Minnesota’s legislature is just barely divided, with Democrats holding the majority in the state Senate by one vote and Republicans controlling the state House by one vote.
Walz acknowledged that passing any kind of gun laws would be a difficult task due to the split, but he called on Republicans to break with their party and jump the aisle.
"I'm going to need some Republicans to break with the orthodoxy and say that we need to do something on guns, and that's the opportunity right now,” Walz explained. "I don't understand where the partisanship is in this. This should be a bipartisan agreement."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey threw his support behind an assault weapons ban immediately after the shooting on August 27 that claimed the lives of two children and injured 21 others.
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus says the issue isn’t with guns, though, and punishing law-abiding citizens is not the way to protect the public.
“The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus opposes any ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines. Such proposals are unconstitutional under Heller, McDonald, and Bruen and do nothing to reduce crime,” Brian Strawser, Chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, said in a press release posted to X.
“Instead of wasting time on unconstitutional distractions, lawmakers should focus on real solutions — like improving access to mental health resources and school safety.”
The pro-gun advocacy group said it intends to fight any efforts to restrict firearms or magazines in the state.
What do you think of a potential firearm ban in Minnesota? Will there be enough votes to pass any measures? Let us know in the comments below. Want more news? Check out our News Category with all the latest updates.