St. Paul Bans Assault Weapons & Ghost Guns

Public officials in St. Paul, Minnesota, unanimously passed a sweeping ordinance targeting assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and “ghost guns.”

Though officials said the ban was a “bold step,” the ordinance cannot actually take effect until Minnesota’s preemption laws are lifted. The preemption laws have been on the books since 1985.

The ordinance was introduced by the St. Paul City Council in late October and included a handful of provisions aimed at firearms, including:

• Banning possession of the following items within city limitsAssault weaponsLarge-capacity magazinesBinary triggers
• Restricting firearms in “sensitive public spaces” like parks, libraries, recreation centers, and city buildings
• Requiring clear signage at public facilities with the listed firearm restrictions and encouraging compliance
• Definition of enforcement authority and penalties

Under the ordinance, law enforcement and active-duty military are exempt from the restrictions in addition to licensed federal firearms curators.

There’s also a carve-out for individuals transporting banned firearms through the city so long as the firearms are unloaded, locked, and comply with the city’s safe storage policies.

“Saint Paul stands ready to act on day one when the state lifts preemption,” said Mayor Melvin Carter III (D) in a press release.

“This ordinance represents a collective effort by local leaders taking a long-overdue step to protect our children, families, and neighbors. Too many have suffered the unimaginable while others debated. It’s time for state leaders to meet us in this moment of urgency and safeguard the future our children deserve.”

St. Paul is the first major city in a coalition of 17 Minnesota cities to adopt gun legislation. According to the city, partners include the University of Minnesota Law School Gun Violence Prevention Clinic, the Minnesota Chapter of Moms Demand Action, Protect Minnesota, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords, Face to Face Academy, local constituents, and community advocates.

The ordinance comes on the heels of a deadly mass shooting at the Annunciation Catholic School in late August 2025.

Immediately after the city announced the new legislation, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, alongside the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the ordinance.

“This illegal ordinance will immediately have a chilling effect on peaceable gun owners in our capital city,” Bryan Strawser, Chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, said in a news release.

 “It’s unfortunate that the City Council and Mayor have chosen to waste taxpayer dollars defending a performative ordinance that clearly violates state law.”

Strawser said the pro-2A organization is prepared to fight the bill and preserve gun rights across the state.

“We have been clear from the beginning, we will not back down and will always take action to defend the Second Amendment rights of peaceable Minnesotans to keep and bear arms,” he added.

The pro-gun group filed a petition on November 12 asking the court to prevent city officials from implementing or enforcing the ordinance. The petition is filed under MN Gun Owners Caucus v. City of St. Paul in the Ramsey County District Court and is awaiting assignment to a judge.

What do you think of St. Paul’s restrictions? Let us know in the comments below. Want more news? Check out our News Category with all the latest updates.

Additional Resources

• Minnesota Preemption Law
• Mayor Melvin Carter III (D)
• Minneapolis Catholic school shooting leaves 2 children dead, 21 people injured: CBS News
• City of St Paul, Minnesota Ordinance
• City of St Paul, Minnesota Press Release
• Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus
• Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus Press Release
• MN Gun Owners Caucus v. City of Saint Paul
• Ramsey County District Court